New Cutter Aids Christian Broadcasting Network's Ministries

The Christian Broadcasting Network has served as the benchmark for religious programming for over 50 years. Founded by televangelist Pat Robertson in 1961, the Virginia Beach, Va.-based organization is well known for The 700 Club, an iconic popular live TV program. It also runs the 24-hour CBN News outlet and Superbook, a children's ministry segment that involves animation to tell stories from the Bible.

The hidden gem at CBN, however, can be found in its 35-employee Graphics Production operation, a football field-sized area that serves as the hub to support marketing activity. Here, 90 percent of all products are created and completed in-house.

The international ministry generates substantial revenue from large-scale campaigns by printing millions of pieces annually on its six-color Komori sheetfed press, eight-color Drent Global UV web press and a pair of two-color presses. In the digital area, the in-plant runs continuous-feed Océ VarioStream 7000s and Océ VarioPrint 6160 duplex printers. The finishing department features a 54˝ Colter & Peterson Saber X15 heavy-duty paper cutter with an automatic waste removal system.

"We print an eight-page monthly magazine with full bleeds and a circulation of 450,000," says Maurice Russell, Laser Operations and Support Systems manager, who supervises seven people in the finishing department and oversees two shifts on the variable data side.

"We also print about 22 million letters per year for our corporate partners, while supporting other corporate entities such as Operation Blessing and Regent University with various print and finishing jobs. Each letter contains between one and six components, and may include a combination of items ranging from a brochure and literature to business and trading cards."

The Path to a New Paper Cutter

Two years ago, CBN was looking to replace a 54˝ Lawson paper cutter with a newer 45˝ Polar model, when Russell decided to compare other paper cutters. He was surprised to learn the in-plant could afford a 54˝ Saber X15.

"We visited four different shops to see the Saber and took some time to do a bit of homework," he recalls. "We bought the Saber with a stack lift, air jogger system and unloader."

Designed for longevity and reliability, the Saber X15 possesses a Microcut system with a 15˝ touch screen, a new hydraulic system and cut optimization with state-of-the-art electronics.

"I'm impressed with the double-sided blades and its sturdiness for the amount of work we do," says Russell. "For example, the Superbook program includes a youth book, and we are producing many of the companion materials, including trading cards, posters and the Sunday school curriculum. The trading cards are four-color and measure 21⁄2x31⁄2˝ with rounded edges. That's a major reason why we needed the automatic waste removal system, and it has helped our productivity.

"And the service we receive from C&P is terrific," concludes Russell. "Overall, the Saber is a great product that has exceeded all of our expectations."