Entry into the Hardcover Segment with a Diamant MC

07/21/2016

Diversification with a Diamant MC 60 – IBW, the leading specialist for high-volume magazines in Belgium, has entered the hardcover segment with a Muller Martini bookline.

IBW Industrial Binding, which is based in Oostkamp and whose existing range of services consists of saddle stitching, softcover and thread sewing, has added a new string to its bow with its investment in the Diamant MC 60 bookline. The company’s decision was heavily influenced by the downward trend in magazines, the requirements of its regular customers and an environment in which many book producers are shutting up shop or own outdated machinery. IBW’s existing infrastructure for gathering, folding and thread sewing also facilitated the company’s entry into the hardcover segment. “That allowed us to keep the additional investments for a bookline within reasonable limits,” says Financial Director François van der Haert.

From left: Steven van Belle, Olivier van der Haert, François van der Haert (all from IBW) and Luc Sonck (Sales Manager at Muller Martini Benelux) in front of the new Diamant MC bookline.

The fact that a Muller Martini solution was IBW’s first choice to meet its needs in the hardcover segment was largely a matter of trust, since the company already had experience of operating seven perfect binders and five saddle stitchers of the Swiss machine manufacturer. “The Diamant MC 60 has a similar operating philosophy to the other equipment, so our machine operators can put their extensive know-how to good use,” says Technical Director Patrick van Belle.The bookline excels with its short changeover times, numerous quality checks and high net output from the very first day of operation.

“It’s important for the future that we can fulfill all the requirements of our customers, i.e. large or small product sizes in short and long runs,” says Olivier van der Haert (Head of Business Development). “That’s why we’ve invested in a complete line with a double lining station and a Hörauf casemaker.”

IBW wants to keep pace with market requirements in the softcover segment too. To handle the trend for falling run sizes, the Belgian company has also invested in a Muller Martini Alegro perfect binder with short changeover times in combination with the Diamant MC 60.