Pressroom

Panaprint Enters 2009 with Automated Press, Postpress Solutions from Heidelberg

Monday 02. February 2009 - Investing in the latest technologies is a way of doing business for Panaprint in Macon, Ga., where not one piece of major equipment in the company’s bustling pressroom is more than six years old.

Among the latest additions to the company’s 248,000-sq.-foot, state-of-the-art facility are a new 8-color Speedmaster CD 74 with perfector, coater and Inpress Control, and a Stahlfolder TH 66 folder from Heidelberg. “After the success we had installing Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 400 and ST 450 stitchers as well as a POLAR cutting system last year, we looked to Heidelberg again when we decided to replace our press,” said Panaprint Vice President W. Everette “Rette” Collins. “We are using M600 Goss Web presses originally purchased from Heidelberg, and have been able to move some work off of the Web presses and onto the CD 74. Because the new press allows us to complete larger runs, we can be more competitive on larger sheetfed jobs,” Collins said. The new folder was purchased to help Panaprint keep more finishing work in-house. Installation only took three days, and by the end of the third day with very little training time, the operators already had the folder running at 21,000 pieces per hour on a 2-up job. Panaprint is the first company in the Southeast to install a TH 66 folder with a TSH 70+SPA delivery unit and two-level vertical stacking unit for easier delivery of the finished product. Collins credits the expertise of Panaprint’s 108 employees, along with help from Heidelberg technicians, for keeping Panaprint positioned for growth. “This will certainly be a tough year for the printing industry, but we are going to keep working hard to grow and serve our customers to the best of our ability.” Founded in 1973, Panaprint is managed by President Wanzie Collins with the help of sons Rette and Christian T. Collins, who joined the company in 1988 to follow in their father’s footsteps. Both are vice presidents of the company; Rette serves as sales manager, and Christian serves as publication manager and special projects director.