Launch of two thermal laminators for book covers. We have recently replaced our 20-year-old equipment with the Autobond Mini 76 TH-PHR and the Cosmo CF 6300.
Those new items of equipment will allow us to increase the quality, the capacity and to secure production during peak periods. Having a significant market share, we took into consideration digital printing and added optional features on the equipment enabling the lamination of more intricate sheets.
Annick Forgues joins the team as Executive Assistant and HR Manager. Her contribution to the organization will ensure continuity in the structuring of the HR component with the objective of growing our employer brand in the region. Her experience in human resources in the manufacturing sector will be quickly put to good use and will allow us to continue our sales growth.
With more than 75 employees, Multi Bookbinding must design and implement customized training plans for our type of highly mechanized production line while having at heart developing and maintaining the skills of our staff.
Premere BLS II personalization of graduation albums (click here to see the video)
A great leap forward with the automation of the personalization of graduation albums, a specialty at Multi-Reliure since our creation in 1988. This production line replaces a lead-based production method from the 1950s. The process is done directly from a Word file and the albums are fed continuously. No matrix and no rejects!
Kolbus PK 170 Board Cutter (click here to see the video)
Installation of cardboard cutting and squaring technology for the manufacture of rigid covers. This investment allows us a greater autonomy in the just-in-time manufacturing of all our orders. The precision of this German technology is now coupled with digital measuring tools. With the complexity of our supply chains, this addition comes at the right time!
New Dust Recycling Process
In its ongoing process of continuous improvement, Multi-Reliure has acquired a Weima C150 unit for the compression of all dust coming from the sawing of bounded book spines. This process allows the elimination of 65,000 lbs of landfill waste per year, the equivalent of about 7 full 53-foot trailers. The highly compressed dust transforms this production waste into briquettes that are sold as biomass…a net gain for the environment, a cleaner plant and a safer work environment!
Installation of a brand-new Case Maker Kolbus DA 280 (click here to see the video). This machine which is used to manufacture hard covers is the fastest ever produced by Kolbus with a rate of 100 covers per minute. This acquisition offers the possibility of making 3-piece covers (Quarter bound cover) in an automated way and asymmetric spines for special displays. In addition to finalizing this installation, we took the opportunity to redo the complete Layout of the 15,000 sq. Ft. department with the addition of a Polar knife and a ventilation system.
Start-up of a brand new production line, Kolbus Boxer BX200 (click here to see the video), for the production of custom-made and on-demand cardboard boxes. This investment is in line with our mission of innovation and will bring many benefits to our customers including:
• The exact format for the packaging calculated according to the weight or quantity required
• No paper cushioning
• Stronger box for mail dispatch
• Use of the right type of cardboard: single or double wall (32 or 42 ECT)
• Possibility of choosing the number of volumes per box on the day before production
• Billing only for boxes used. No waste
• No inventory management or transporting empty boxes
• No minimum quantity required
• Increased flexibility to meet your customers’ packaging standards
• Decreasing the ecological footprint
Multi Bookbinding team is growing with the arrival of Ms. Michelle Côté and Mr. Brent Mackie. They hold the positions of Production Coordinator and Regional Sales Manager for the Ontario and United States markets, respectively. They will contribute to the efforts already undertaken to increase the quality of our services, expand our presence in Ontario and develop the US market.
Multi-Reliure is the big winner in the regional investment category of the MMCQ (Manufacturiers de la Mauricie et du Centre du Québec). The award was presented to Yvon Sauvageau, President and his partner Patrick Pâquet at the 2019 Le Manufacturier Gala. This is an industry recognition for the quality of its Leader 2020 investment plan.
We are very proud to have won this award which recognizes the quality of our team and our operations!
Gala Distinction Desjardins
In the category: Manufacturing Company, presented by the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation
We’ve upgraded our compressor room by adding two 50 HP Kaeser BSD-50 screw compressors and a TF-174 refrigeration dryer.
We will certainly have enough air to support our growth!
Appointment of Denise Gignac to the position of Production Supervisor with the following responsibilities:
• Plan and organize the day shift work with the operations manager
• Facilitate the integration of new employees and ensure their continuous training
• Transition to the evening shift
This nomination is part of her progression at Multi-Reliure after having distinguished herself by her attitude and her qualities as operator of several types of equipment since August 1999.
Multi Bookbinding just completed the installation and training of a brand-new Smyth Sewing machine AsterPRO 44 from Meccanotecnica (click here to see the video). With the addition of a third production line with all the cutting-edge technologies for automatic book sewing, this new investment will almost double the sewing capability of the company and keep Multi Bookbinding in the leading position in Case Binding production.
The main features of the machine are:
Installation of a brand new Perfect Binder Kolbus KM 610a manufactured to our requirements in Germany. This addition increases our production capacity by 60% and allows us to offer Case Binding with PUR glue, Layflat binding.
A major investment to support growing demand in the book business
Appointment of Gypsi Gagnon to the position of Operations Foreman with the following responsibilities:
• Plan and organize the evening work shift
• Provide technical support to management, customers and operators
• Plan preventative maintenance with in-house mechanic and subcontractors
This appointment is in line with his progress at Multi-Reliure after having distinguished himself as head operator in thermobinding. Mr. Gagnon has been with the company since September 2006.
The addition of an automatic horizontal 2-ton Balemaster press optimizes paper management and baling. By packaging our waste paper in bales, we maximize the resale value to recyclers and, most importantly, we eliminate landfill. Multi-Reliure is a first-choice partner concerned about the environmental footprint of its operations. Recycling is at the very heart of our concerns!
Your project is beautifully printed and is now ready for finishing and binding. There’s an old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” but let’s be honest – that’s exactly what people do — so you want your finished product to look perfect. Finishing/binding is the final production stage, and it can make or break your job – one slip-up here can ruin your work. Who can you trust to finish your project? You need an expert, someone who will do the job right and in a timely fashion.
Multi Bookbinding is a trade binder with over 30 years of experience, and we only work with printers and brokers. We offer a multitude of different binding options, but we specialize in Case Binding, Smyth-sewn bindings and PUR-glue.
We know your time is valuable, so let us take care of things for you. We offer the best pricing and can usually respond to quote requests within four (4) hours. With a rate of only $55/skid, we can pick up your job for overnight delivery to our modern facility of 60 000 ft2. Our highly efficient team, headed by our Production Manager and assisted by the Production Coordinator, Shipping Coordinator and Estimator, will ensure that your project is completed to specifications and on time. Production runs from 8:00 a.m. through to midnight, with day and evening shifts at all times. We also have an integrated ERP system which we are continually evolving to suit our needs.
For the same low $55/skid rate, we can deliver your job directly to you or even to your client. We have a packaging management system that allows us to create labels and packing slips personalized with your company name and even your logo for free. Our name will not appear on any paperwork supplied to your client.
We have the tools and the expertise to perfectly finish off your print project (laminating, folding and stamping).
Give us a call to discuss your needs today!
1 888 735-4873
The addition of automatic FeedMaster 3840 section feeders on our Kolbus KM 473 binder increases production speed while reducing the physical effort required by operators to load section rolls that can weigh over 100lbs. This is another investment that reflects the willingness of Multi-Reliure to accompany our printer customers in their development.
Multi Bookbinding now offers an efficient solution for recycling plastic spiral, through our division Spiraplast.
Our team has developed a way to incorporate almost 20% recycled PVC in our black wire formula.
Printers, copy centers, and binding workshops can now recycle their accumulated surplus plastic spiral with this ecological method, all while recouping a few dollars. To avoid shipping costs, just add your extra boxes of plastic spiral to any binding job sent to us.
To support the pace required by the very long runs from rotary presses that supply material in rolls, Manutention Rive-Sud has proceeded with the installation of a Demag 98.4 foot overhead crane with two electric brackets.
This addition gives us greater efficiency and reduces the risk of workplace accidents linked to the handling of rolls that can weigh more than 100lbs, and is a step in the preparation for adding automatic section feeders in 2018.
At the 35th Gutenberg Gala on June 1st, Multi Bookbinding was awarded a 2017 Gutenberg Technical Challenge Award in the Finishing category for our work on the production of a book for our client, Novagraf Marketing.
This prestigious award was not only the result of teamwork and a mastery of binding techniques, but was also due to a well-conceived design to begin with.
To see a video (available in French only) of the winning project, visit Gala Gutenberg 2017
Print is dead . . . you’re still making books?
As soon as I mention that my company makes books, I always get the same reaction – print is dead. This is a wide-spread belief in today’s society, strongly supported by the media. It’s so easy to say that we no longer have need of printed products, because everything happens online now. However, the reality is completely different – print is just taking a different place in our lives. There are approximately 50,000 people working in the print industry in North America. This number has been decreasing over the last 10 years, but has stabilized due to the many mergers and closures of under-performing printers. In fact, printers of today operate at speeds unthinkable 15 or 20 years ago, while significantly reducing prices, production delays and staffing requirements.
To many people, printing is synonymous with newspapers, books, and business cards.
We can follow the evolution and growing presence of printed products since the beginning of the century. Some items available now that were not seen before the advent of the digital age include printed cans that display the temperature of the beer inside them, completely personalized commercial entranceway mats and windows, full-color books printed in small quantities right down to even just a single copy, labels on everything, ultra-specialized magazines aimed at small niche audiences, banners and items at all points of sale, clothes and fabrics with high-quality printed patterns, containers of all shapes and materials printed with full color and images, statements and invoices entirely personalized for the recipient, catalogs based on your shopping habits, not to mention 3D printing, etc. Despite what the media may suggest, the printed book is still here. Yes, digital is here to stay, but its growth has markedly slowed in recent years. The negative environmental aspect concerning printed books has diminished as people understand more and more that print can be 100% recycled and is 100% recyclable, which is far from the case with our electronic devices.
What matters with printing is the relevance of the product.
It wasn’t so long ago that to reduce the unit cost of a product and make it accessible to everyone, it had to be printed in large quantities. This is no longer necessary; we can print the right quantity at the right time at the right price – the situation has completely changed. We just have to think back to the 1980s, when a color separation of an 8″×10″ photo could cost up to $100.00. Just imagine the cost then for a Sears’ catalog! Over the past several years, this step has been completely eliminated, as have many other prepress production stages. In short, when I have more than five (5) minutes to talk about my line of business, my audience can better understand what printing actually is. A visit to our facilities or to those of a modern printer always creates the same impact. Visitors are blown away by the technology of the equipment, the cleanliness of the premises, and the quality of the finished products. It’s a far cry from the times when a press operator had to have one car only for work and another car for the weekends. What still remains today is the need to communicate, and print still plays a role in that, as do the web, radio, television and everything else that will be invented in the years to come!
Multi Bookbinding continues its growth with the purchase of the assets of Spiraplast, a producer of high-quality PVC wire for spiral-binding. Founded in 1988 by André Primeau, Spiraplast has a fleet of equipment which includes a Deltaplast D45 extruder line and 4 spiral forming machines from Renz and Bomco.
All of this equipment has now been integrated into Multi Bookbinding’s 60,000 square-foot plant. Multi Bookbinding will be offering its new product to both its existing customers as well as to those of Spiraplast, consisting of renowned binderies, copy centers, printers, and professional offices.
“We’re proud with this addition to our services. There are only two other companies that produce spirals made from PVC particles. Binderies are always under pressure to deliver in record time. Vertical integration is one solution, plus we create new jobs in our versatile team of 60 employees”, states Yvon Sauvageau, president of Multi Bookbinding since 2008.
Multi Bookbinding announces an investment in sustainable development with the installation of a stabilization system for our power factor.
This system will result in an annual reduction of 34,000 kWh and 2,000 kg of CO2 for Multi Bookbinding.
Adding this system is part of our company’s philosophy of increasing efficiency while reducing our ecological footprint.
Our new CMC Heliomat automatic gluer, directly from Italy, uses cold adhesive to glue the insides of binders, game boards and displays. This durable glue guarantees maximum adhesion on all types of materials and increases the shelf life of the finished product.
This new acquisition has allowed us to increase our production speed to close to 400 pieces per hour, in order to support the growth of demand in this market niche. Due to the fibre optic detection system, position tolerances have been reduced down to 1/32″.
We are pleased to announce the acquisition of a brand new piece of equipment from Japan. Our Horizon gatherer/folder/inserter allows us to work with 4-page signatures off digital presses and prepare them for sewing in sections of 16, 24, 32 or 48 pages, depending on the specifications of the job.
This automated machine Horizon HOF and SPF has been designed specifically for the production of yearbooks and short-run sewn books and can handle 12,500 4-page signatures per hour.
Our clients will benefit from greater production speeds and also from the reduction of the risk of errors during the inserting/gathering process.
Multi Bookbinding presents the four well-known methods for perfect binding. In this article, you will learn to differentiate between them and recognize their unique characteristics. As such, you will better understand the perfect binding production process and the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
1- The classic (standard) method
The signatures of the books or magazines are printed, folded, gathered and glued with a hot melting glue, EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate). The spine is ground off by 0.125″ to prepare it for the application of the glue. This type of perfect binding is the most commonly used in the industry.
The perforations in the middle are used only as an aid in folding.
The 0.125″ section that will be ground off during binding.
Advantages:
It offers advantageous − production costs
− It allows fast production
− It is ideal for for magazines or publications that are one-time/quick reads
− It results in a good-looking product for the price
Disadvantages:
− It produces a more fragile spine, and so is better suited for current publications that don’t need to stand up to frequent consultations over time
− It has a limited shelf life
− It is sensitive to temperature changes – the glue can reactivate or become brittle in very cold or very hot
temperatures
2- The notch method
The signatures of the books or magazines are printed, folded, gathered and glued with a hot melting glue, EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), without grinding off the spine. The signatures have notches cut out of their spines during folding. This type of perfect binding is the second most commonly used in the industry.
Notched signature. There is no grind-off before binding.
It is more than a simple perforation; excess paper is removed to allow the glue to flow through.
Advantages:
− It produces a very durable product
− It produces a better result for two-page spreads than the other methods, since there is no compensation
needed during imposition for a binding grind-off allowance
− It requires less space on a press sheet, thus allowing the possibility to modify the layout and press
sheet size to optimize production
− It allows cost-savings during printing if the press sheet is optimized
− The production cost is the same as that for the classic method
Disadvantages:
− It requires precise folding, since any variations in folding may allow the notches to be visible
− It has a limited shelf-life
− It is sensitive to temperature changes – the glue can reactivate or become brittle in very cold or very hot
temperatures
3- The PUR (polyurethane) glue method
This method of perfect binding has become very popular since 2005, and is now commonly used. This type of glue is very flexible and durable. The binding follows the same steps as the classic method, but using this very powerful glue. PUR glue has revolutionized the printing and binding industry.
Advantages:
– It is much more flexible than the hot EVA glue.
− It offers the same production speeds as the classic method.
− It uses a stable glue that does not reactivate in the heat or become brittle in the cold.
− It is ideal for works printed on coated stock with the wrong grain direction for binding.
Disadvantages:
− It has a binding production cost which is about 5-10% higher than that of the classic method.
− It requires a longer drying time.
− It is more fragile during the first 24 hours after production, which must be taken into account on rush
jobs (and heaven knows we often work on rush jobs!).
4- The sewn method
This is a high-quality method of production, used for works such as dictionaries, Bibles, product catalogs, and high-end books. The bound product is far more superior in all aspects. The signatures are gathered without any spine grind-off. They are mechanically sewn together, giving the finished product incomparable durability and shelf-life.
Book block sewn with nylon thread.
The thread is visible in the middle of the signature, and may also show the rise of the glue.
Advantages:
− It is impossible for the pages to fall out.
− It has increased flexibility.
− It is more durable in all aspects.
Disadvantages:
− It requires a longer production time than the other methods, since inserting, gathering, and sewing are steps that must be done before the perfect binding.
− The binding production cost is about 50% higher than the classic method.
− The thread is visible in the middle of the signatures.
Note : The cost of binding is on average about 5% of the total production cost of a work (book, magazine, etc.). Binding is often an overlooked element but when well-chosen, it can offer added-value and result in a superior product. Contact us for further information about the many advantages of our binding methods. One of our specialists will help you make the best decision based on your needs and your budget.
We hope to hear from you soon!
Despite all of the options available for improving the flexibility of a work (PUR glue, sewing, hands-free binding (Layflat or Otabind), and respect for the grain direction), a book bound with glue (perfect binding) still has some constraints to consider.
Too often we see designs unsuitable for the type of binding requested: text is within 0.125″ from the spine, spreads (image or text running across two consecutive pages) with important details or titles in the gutter (spine edge), or folios within 0.0625″ from the trim edge.
When a work is bound with glue, there can be dozens of signatures gathered at the same time. All of these signatures experience some variation during folding and/or assembling. Certain adjustments must be made, when 3-knife trimming, to avoid cutting into folios or spreads. When the design is well-done, these adjustments do not appear at all. However, they will be noticeable if the design has no flexibility to allow for these adjustments.
Ensure that the information in the center is not critical so that the reader does not have to wreck the binding in order to see the missing details.
It is easy to see here how the cover hides part of the first page in the book. The glue usually covers 0.375″ of the spine edge of the first page and inside cover.
It is preferable to have a gutter margin of about 0.75″ for easier reading without the constraint caused by the binding.
It is not recommended to spread the text across two (2) pages. The compensation for spreads varies depending on the rise of the glue, the position of the pages in the book, the type of glue, the type of paper, etc.
In certain cases, a bad design can result in unclear words, forcing the reader to break the spine in order to understand the text…
Do not hesitate to have your design checked over by a binder who specializes in perfect binding!
The start-up of our case binding department for the production of binders and display stands for the sampling industry. This follows the acquisition of the assets of K.D. Bindery in June. Moved to our plant this department is equipped with high-performance CMC Italia machines ((HSV-70, Heliomat and Ariemat).
It’s been over five (5) years since Steve Jobs launched the iPad on January 27, 2010, and Apple’s gadget has since caused the word “e-reader” to become mainstream.
There were indeed electronic readers well before the appearance of the iPad, but Apple’s impact on the market was immediate. Although the iPad is not the best e-reader, Apple has taken over this segment of the market.
The days of printed books and magazines seemed to be numbered; however, here we are today with a strong print industry. Obviously, sales of printed books and magazines have declined, but not enough to make this segment of the market unprofitable.
”The production costs of a book or magazine have drastically decreased over the past 20 years.”
As a bindery, we work with several printers specializing in publishing. Over the past years, there have been mergers and several investments in new equipment. This is a sure sign that all bets are for stable sales volumes, perhaps even growth.
The production costs of a book or magazine have drastically decreased over the past 20 years. There is no longer scanning, negative mounting or press set-ups lasting for hours; page layout is more automated, and press and bindery speeds have more than tripled!
”The print book requires an investment of time and money, which greatly eliminates sloppy publications.”
Print runs have decreased considerably, but the number of titles appearing has rapidly increased. There is a magazine for every niche and a book for every subject. As opposed to any blog, a print book gives a great deal of credibility to the author. To write a blog (which I’m doing here!), there is no worry about financial risk since there is no money involved. In contrast, the print book requires an investment of time and money, which greatly eliminates sloppy publications.
Even though the production costs have drastically decreased, print still remains an investment. The author of a book will be identified with that book for many years, which is not the case with ephemeral blogs.
What about the e-book?
The e-book does have a place in the world of publishing, but tops out at between 10 – 20% of publishers’ sales and more weakly in terms of profitability. The electronic book is an additional support to the distribution of a book. First, we had hard cover and soft cover printed formats, and then the mass-market (pocket) format was added. And now here is the tablet version shaking up these three formats, but without completely replacing any of them.
Print books and magazines are appreciated as objects. Readers often recall the smell of the paper, the pleasure of flipping through volumes or the ease to share favourite works, besides the ability to write in the margins, highlight passages, cut out articles and fold down the corners of pages to mark them. In brief, the printed object is a thing to be enjoyed.
There is also the quality, which is incomparable. If you have the opportunity to examine a magazine from the 1990s, you will notice a huge difference in the quality of printing, the number of images, the quality of the paper, and the precision of the binding. It’s undeniable; progress is remarkable!
Finally, there is the environmental impact. It is becoming better understood that paper is both a recycled and recyclable product, made from wood which is a renewable natural resource. The mountains of electronic gadgets are not, and they have not stopped accumulating with the never-ending shortened cycles of obsolescence.
In summary, there is not one format that is better than the other, but instead, a format that adapts to the type of readers that we are.
Long live the book in all its forms, since it is thanks to this invention that we have been able to share our knowledge with each other.
We know the creation of a book is the result of a lot of hard work. However, as bookbinders, we see that this hard work is often ruined by questionable choices at the design stage. Some simple basic good framework can change this, though. Here are five tips for producing a book within the rules of the art and make your book more attractive and enjoyable to read!
1- Choose the correct grain direction:
This is probably the most underestimated factor when choosing a printer. The customer requests a price (the best!) and then compares prices without ever suspecting (due to a lack of knowledge and good advice) that the grain direction of the pages has a major impact on the finished product. This is even more important when working with thicker paper. The grain direction of the paper affects the flexibility of a book. If you examine a book whose pages or cover have been printed on stock with the incorrect grain direction required for binding, you will find a very rigid product whose pages don’t want to stay open. The wrong grain direction can also cause the loosening of some pages in the book, causing them to fall out. This is an important consideration.
It is often more expensive to print books with the correct grain direction for binding, since the printer has to impose signatures of 12 pages instead of 16 pages, thus resulting in more plates and press set-ups. However, with the choice of tools at the disposal of printers today, it is often possible to print without breaking the budget. It is also equally possible to design the book in landscape format, which changes the orientation of the grain.
2- Choose the right type of binding:
3- Think about the graphic design elements
Avoid placing images in two-page spreads (cross-overs) with important details or elements in the middle of the spread. There isn’t a magical formula to ensure that the image will be perfectly seen without forcing open the binding and potentially breaking the spine. This can be even more disastrous with text spreading across two pages. In perfect binding, don’t forget to adjust the images on the inside front and inside back covers to compensate for the side glue, which can hide up to 0.5″ of the image.
Note: We suggest that you consult with your printer to get their recommendations in order to produce a final product that will meet your expectations.
4- Think about the durability required for the book
There are works which require superior durability due to their long shelf life or use (cookbooks, religious works, dictionaries, school books, catalogs, yearbooks, etc.). To ensure the durability of the book, there are three factors to consider – the grain direction, the type of glue (EVA or PUR) and sewing. Binding a sewn catalog can cost up to 40% more compared to a catalog produced with hot glue (EVA), but sewing is the only method which guarantees the durability of the binding. There isn’t any possibility of the pages coming loose, which can happen when using only glue. Before eliminating the option of sewing, ask yourself this question: how much does this 40% increase in binding cost actually represent in the total production of the work (including design, typesetting, photography, printing, distribution, etc.)? Is it worth it to invest this amount and thus have the assurance that the book will stand up to its specified use?
Of course!
5- Consider the time
Each type of binding requires a different production time. Once completion dates are set, they are difficult to move with a full production schedule. People think about the timelines needed to correct proofs and to print, but often underestimate the time needed for the chosen binding method. Certain types of bindings, such as case binding or mechanical binding (plastic spiral), require up to 8 – 10 working days for production. Errors in binding are very costly and have major consequences on the final product. You have to allow the necessary time and take into account the busy periods in the industry. We suggest you follow our blog to keep well informed on this subject!
Until next time!
To support the increased volume in the production of our three-ring binders, Multi Bookbinding has begun installation of a second unit for applying rivets.
Our new Arno 105 will double our production capability and will also, due to better control of piston pressure, increase our quality.
On September 2, Multi Bookbinding held a tour of our facilities for our industry clients. We had the opportunity to welcome 10 clients for a very busy day.
Marquis Gagné, Transcontinental Québec, LithoChic, FL Chicoine Printing House, Imprimerie de la Rive Sud et Marquis Imprimeur were our distinguished guests on this occasion.
Increased control over our production environment has been obtained with the addition of a humidity regulating system, Carel, using German technology. It ensures that a level of 44% humidity is maintained during the cold season. This controlled humidity level eliminates static, reduces the movement of dust, and, above all, keeps the paper pliable and flat, leading to increased quality in our production and higher productivity.
In order to showcase the addition of our new services (spiral binding, Wire-O binding, and sample-card production), Multi Bookbinding has re-done its website. We took the opportunity to review our content indexing and update the search engine optimization. A newly-added and very interesting section is our blog, where we will publish articles on a regular basis. Multi Bookbinding is now more than ever present on the web!
Relocation of the mechanical binding (spiral binding and Wire-O binding) division from Alternative Bindery. After acquiring the assets of this business, we arranged space to accommodate a large fleet of equipment and specialized production team. The installation of a Bielomatik gives Multi Bookbinding a definite advantage in the production of Wire-O bound and metal spiral works, since this machine drills and inserts in a single step! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weQlEyaNVvc
Multi Bookbinding has just completed two important transactions. The acquisition of K.D. Bindery and Alternative Bindery will not only consolidate the company in the binding industry, but also add ten employees to their staff.
“We have acquired the assets of two businesses, K.D. Bindery and Alternative Bindery. This is part of our revival plan,” explained Yvon Sauvageau, general manager of Multi Bookbinding, when reached by Hebdo last week. These two acquisitions represent an investment amounting to $800,000.
Multi Bookbinding purchased the assets of K.D. Bindery, specializing in hard case and binder production. “This will strengthen the scope of our operations. We were doing this kind of production for samples before, but to a lesser extent. Now we possess the necessary equipment for it and can better serve our customers with this new expertise,” added Mr Sauvageau. In the final stages of a sale, samples give the customer a better overview of a product. “Think of all those who work in the industry of coverings, such as carpets and blinds. Hair salons, too, with sample color hair-swatches in hard cover cases to show to their clients.”
Creation of ten jobs
Multi Bookbinding will soon benefit as well from the arrival of 10 employees from Alternative Bindery. Staff at the city-based business will decrease, while some employees will move to the plant.
“This transaction will strengthen our operations in spiral and Wire-O binding and help us to develop them further. Alternative Bindery is often sought out for academic calendars, for example. We have organized an area of 8,000 square feet at our plant to accommodate these employees and their equipment,” said Mr Sauvageau, on the subject of this move, which will take place June 30. Already, the addition of these new services has attracted client interest, according to the general manager.
“The binding industry is evolving, but we have confidence and are in a dominant position. We are also considered a dynamic business, taking bold steps,” added Mr Sauvageau. As proof, Multi Bookbinding has allocated $150,000 for the renewal and upgrading of its equipment fleet in this current fiscal year.
(Source: St-Maurice Hebdo)
INVESTMENT. (St-Maurice Hebdo)
Multi Bookbinding has just completed two important transactions. The acquisition of K.D. Bindery and Alternative Bindery will not only consolidate the company in the binding industry, but also add ten employees to their staff.
“We have acquired the assets of two business, K.D. Bindery and Alternative Bindery. This is part of our revival plan,” explained Yvon Sauvageau, General Manager of Multi Bookbinding, when reached by Hebdo last week. These two acquisitions represent an investment amounting to $800,000.
Addition of an automatic jogger, the POLAR RA-4, on the POLAR 115, our main cutter. This automatic jogger prepares new material for the cutter while the operator is cutting sheets. The precise alignment of the material to be cut and the improved cutting accuracy lay the foundation for obtaining a high-quality uniform end-product. The air exhaust system improves the formation of lifts from the reams to be cut and gives perfect alignment on the press side-guide.
Improvement to our personalized stamping capabilities with the addition of a new Qwick Print foil stamper. This machine allows the operator to fully concentrate on positioning the stamp as well as making any corrections to the copy being stamped while the foil is automatically fed into the machine.
Evening reception on March 15th to celebrate the start of our 25th anniversary celebrations (Louis Baribeau, Yvon Sauvageau, Patrick Pâquet, and Pierre Pâquet, husband of the founder of Multi Bookbinding, Suzanne Ferron).
Release of our Beisik estimating system to our major customers. Provides autonomy in estimating and generates layouts for the production of both case bound and soft cover jobs.
Addition of a Potdevin gluer to improve our production of book slipcases and cards/cases for samples/swatches.
Modifications on our Cermi machine allow us to produce a flush French-flap on either the front or back cover panel in a single pass. Previously, we had to have the flaps on both the front and back panels.
Development of a new version of our ERP system. New features include personalization of packing slips with our client logos, automatic email confirmation of receipt of jobs at our plant and automatic daily tracking of orders.
Renewal of the collective agreement with our production staff (Multi Bookbinding employee union) for the next 5 years.
Addition of two pressing units on the sewers. This eliminates wrinkling on sewn books over 1″ thick.
Implementation of our environmental policy. Lighting in the plant has been replaced with a highly efficient system, selective recycling sorting has been extended to all departments (including the office), purchase of FSC-certified cartons is a priority, and the weather-stripping in our eight garage doors has been upgraded to save on heating.
Installation of our 12-unit Kolbus ZU-803 gathering machine. Sewn jobs will be produced more quickly and more efficiently than before.
Installation of two electrostatic units allowing the automatic insertion of reply cards. This will shorten production time, since reply cards can be inserted while the book is being assembled.
Winner of the 15th Gala Distinction Desjardins category Manufacturer (26 or more employees).
Installation of our Kolbus Cermi XCR 650 trimmer. This machine allows us to apply and trim perfect bound French-flap covers in a single step. In addition to doubling our production capabilities, this machine will give our operators optimal control over the positioning of the flaps.
Introduction of our new logo, better reflecting the current work of our company. It replaces our previous logo created in 1990. We also registered the English version of our name, “Multi Bookbinding,” to aid in developing our business.
Author Bryan Perro visited our plant to see the production of his book, Créatures fantastiques du Québec.
Implementation of an ERP system. Our new Beisik system integrates all aspects of our workflow: orders, dockets, purchase orders, estimating and scheduling.
Fondaction CSN invests $1.5 million in Multi Bookbinding. This investment completes important private funding by the estate of the founder, Suzanne Ferron, for shareholder renewal.
Passing of Suzanne Ferron, founder of Multi Bookbinding. She leaves behind her husband Pierre Pâquet, her son Patrick and her two daughters, Sonia and Solanie.
Introduction of our second Kolbus KM 473 perfect binding line. In addition to doubling our production capabilities, this machine allows us to bind works as thin as 0.09375″ with a speed of 8,000 volumes per hour.
Acquisition of a Nordson PUR spine gluing system on our KM 470 perfect binder. PUR glue is a big help for printers who need to produce a job to bind against the grain in order to maximize sheet space.
Addition of a third production unit on the Müller Martini Inventa Plus. This machine can achieve speeds of 200 sections per minute, and its optical detection system eliminates the risk of flipped or missing sections.
Acquisition of our new laminating machine, the GBC 8332 Genesis. We can now offer this as an in-house service, without having to send jobs outside to laminators.
Major investment to complete the automation of our case binding line – the addition of two Kolbus machines to our current fleet of equipment, the BF 527 Book Production Line and the Chronos Casemaker. This positions Multi Bookbinding as the most important independent case binder.
Second expansion of our plant – an addition of 12,800 ft2 to yield a total area of 40,000 ft2
The beginning of our business, located below the Shawinigan Municipal Garage, rue de la Fonderie.
