Securian Lands Six-color Press
Installing a six-color press in an in-plant is like witnessing a total solar eclipse. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it is a big deal. Securian Financial Group’s in-plant recently discovered that the rare can happen.
Thomas Neckvatal, director of Graphic Services, says his operation recently purchased a six-color, 40˝ Heidelberg CDLX press to accommodate its ever-growing business.
“It is unusual in this day for in-plants to have large-format presses,” acknowledges Neckvatal. “Our business has been developed to the point that we have emulated commercial vendors and have attracted commercial grade business; therefore, the need to have the level of commitment needed to compete in the print environment requires this magnitude of investment.”
The new press will aid Securian’s staff of 46 in supporting the unwavering production of marketing materials that include pocket folders, brochures, direct mail inserts, letters, envelopes (preprinted then converted), posters and point-of-purchase materials.
Neckvatal explains that the in-plant evaluated how the Heidelberg press could contribute to the print shop, as well as generate additional insourced business. After much consideration, the in-plant determined that it could justify the purchase.
“Our overall business volume totaled $10,500,000 in 2006. We generated $5,400,000 as insourced business, and all signs point to increasing that total for 2007,” says Neckvatal. “We could not function without equipment in this category. Generally six-color, 40˝ presses are in the larger commercial shops, however we have the production demand that requires two 40˝ presses plus one 29˝ press.”
The in-plant also utilizes a Kodak NexPress 2100 digital press, as well as complete bindery systems including Heidelberg folders and cutters, a Buhrs intelligent inserter, a Buskro commercial ink-jetting and tabbing system and a Heidelberg stitcher/trimmer.
