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Case Study - Beldar
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Squeezed Expansion
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Many forms producers are finding themselves between a rock and a hard place-squeezed
between market changes and customer demands.
To cope with the squeeze, BELDAR Print Communications, Mahwah, N.J., has
expanded, taking on more space and more efficient technology.
Seven presses, five collators and two programmable guillotine cutters
were shut down, moved, installed and running again within one week. Not a
single order was delayed. Immediately after the move, BELDAR also installed
a new five-unit press from RDP Marathon, Laval, Quebec, Canada.
Move Makers
The market changes that impelled the move were several. Primary among
them was increased production flexibility. BELDAR is responding to the
customers and frequently works just two days ahead. The customers need
incredible accuracy in registration because so many forms are read by
computers. They also required the capability to output laser cut sheets
They could have added a sheeter to an old press, but with the color and
registration requirements the customers demand, they decided it was time
for a new press. They chose to consult with Montreal-based press
manufacturer, RDP Marathon.
Short Run Flexibility
RDP offers five press lines with litho, flexo and gravure capabilities
in combination. BELDAR's press is an SR-200, designed specifically to give
short run forms producers the flexibility to achieve high-end direct mail
quality. The press also has turn bars, remote register control, numbering
inserts, spiral folding and a sheeter.
RDP will build whatever you want, but you have to know exactly what that
is. What works for one printer may not work for another.
A case in point is the Smart-Set press control system installed on
BELDAR's SR-200. It wasn't specified with the order. When the president of
BELDAR, Rod Bell, called several months into construction, he was
pleasantly surprised to find out that this proprietary system was already
configured into the press.
High Expectations
'Many customers now have color printers on their desk and they expect
the same from us. Of course, graphic designers don't know forms, so we have
to make up the difference. But taking care of our customers like that is
just part of the service we have always offered,' Rod said.
Now that the expansion is completed, Bell said the strategy for the
future is to "keep eyes and ears open to new technologies by aligning
yourself with companies like RDP Marathon. If they haven't done it, they've
seen it, or heard about it. Equally important, is to not lose sight of what
keeps the customer comfortable. They don't need the technology per se -
they need product and delivery they can rely on. That hasn't changed".
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