The installation of the 10 colour perfecting press followed on from the installation some 18 months previously of a new eight colour perfector, also from Heidelberg.
That press had created such a dramatic improvement in pressroom productivity and quality that McCollams’ general manager Wayne Romminger says it became obvious that the next press the company bought would also be a perfector.
As part of the Blue Star Print Group, McCollams submits to the group-wide commitment to Heidelberg presses, following a comprehensive industry-wide study of press suppliers two years ago.
So it was then just a question of which model and what specifications to choose for the new press. Given the level of the demand and McCollams reputation for quality, the selection of what Romminger describes as “the highest specification perfecting press available” was a perfect fit for the company.
With two supreme awards from the Pride In Print Awards and some 33 gold medals from the Awards as well, McCollams is the second most decorated printer in New Zealand, so quality is obviously crucial. Romminger says that the company is not losing any of this quality as it shifts more of its work onto the perfecting presses.
This year at Pride In Print, it won gold for its entry ‘BMW Magazine Summer 2004’ which Romminger believes is the first time a sheetfed gold medal-winner has been printed on a perfecting press: “I even had one of the judges come up to me after the ceremony and question whether it really was printed on a perfector,” he says.
While the printing units on the SM102 press are the same as the company’s eight colour Heidelberg perfector, the feeder and delivery are brand new. Originally launched at drupa last year for Heidelberg’s straight presses, it has only recently been added to the perfectors. McCollams is the first company in New Zealand to invest in such a press.
“The Preset Plus Feeder and Delivery are the secret to high quality, mark-free print and high productivity,” Romminger says.
The eight colour perfector installed 18 months ago boosted productivity 50 per cent and Romminger says that the new SM102 has taken it another step up: “We are now printing three million sheets per month with this.”
The new press is also enabling McCollams to print on heavier stock, perfecting sheets of 250-300 gsm with ease. Romminger says there have been no mechanical issues with the press and that the backup from Heidelberg has been excellent.
“It has opened up new markets for us. We are doing a lot more publication work now. It is just delivering such a high quality job.”
One issue that has arisen is that the new press’ productivity has forced McCollams to invest in additional equipment at both the front and back end, installing a KH78 folder from Heidelberg in order to keep up in finishing, and having to upgrade prepress as well.
