RANZ BOOKS CAPACITY WITH NEW HORIZONS
Specialist short-run, on demand book printing operation Ranz Print is boosting its production capacity with a second Horizon perfect binding line and a new Horizon three knife trimmer.
Both are supplied by Currie Group, which Ranz has partnered with since its inception just five years ago. The new Horizon BQ-270V perfect binder joins an existing Horizon perfect binder, while the Horizon HT-30C 3-side Trimmer will take over work that was previously done on the Horizon guillotine.
Owner Ran Zheng said, “We are growing market size, and that market is demanding. We wanted a second perfect binder to enable us to double our capacity in the same time frame. And the new three-knife trimmer significantly improves our productivity.”
Ranz has an established relationship with Currie Group, and with Horizon, Zheng said, “I know the engineering excellence of Horizon, and Currie Group has always been there when I have needed them, the service has been exemplary, so it was a straightforward decision to specify Horizon equipment to take us forward.”
Zheng established the business in 2018, after a 15-year career in the print industry. He said, “I could see there was a demand for short run books. Our business today works 50/50 with self-publishing authors and publishing agents. Business is growing, runs are short, but if they go up to 1000 for instance, we will put 500 on each binder, so we can produce them in half the time.”
Beginning with just himself Ranz now has five staff. The company produces everything from paperbacks to luxury leather bound gold foiled books.
Looking to the future Zheng said, “We will move to a bigger factory, and when that happens we will be looking at an integrated finishing area with conveyors and robotics for handling.”
Vince Pignataro, Victorian account manager at Currie Group said, “I am pleased to see Ran grow his business in such a short time frame. The first time we met, l was impressed with his enthusiasm, and could see this business growing.
"We gave him a path and solutions for growth, which l am pleased to say he took. Currie Group’s advice along with the Horizon brand has allowed the business to grow at a steady pace, and now is the owner of 2 x BQ-270 Perfect Binders together with the Horizon HT-30 Robotic 3 side trimmer and Horizon APC-61 Guillotine.
"Just recently we installed yet another Horizon Product, the Horizon CRF-362 Creaser/Folder/Perforation Unit. We wish Ran and his team every success."