Shown left to right is Mark Thorpe, Production Manager, and John Berthelsen, President

Streamfeeder recently installed a new batch counting fulfillment system at Suttle-Straus, Inc., Waunakee, WI.

The Streamfeeder automation system was designed to relieve a manual labor bottleneck in post-press operations. Prior to installing the line, Suttle-Straus used folding machines to fold and count the product. The product was transported by carts to another location and an operator would manually unload the cart and place the counted stacks in to a semi-automatic shrink wrapper.

The new system includes two XT-1200 Accumulator/Droppers controlled by Streamfeeder's specialized FeedNet™ Collator Communications Software and is fully integrated with a Conflex CW-160 Horizontal Form Fill and Seal Wrapper provided by Streamfeeder Authorized Reseller Partner, Packaging Specialties, Inc., Germantown, WI. The line batch counts a variety of folded and single sheets in ranges of 10 to 50 pieces.

"What used to take over 3 days, now takes less than 1 day," said Mark Thorpe, Suttle-Straus Production Manager. "The increased capacity has created a ripple effect throughout the company enabling presses, folders, and other areas to operate at higher levels of production."

Suttle-Straus is a premier communications solutions provider serving the Midwest market. Services provided by the company include one through six color sheetfed and web printing, digital imaging, mailing, web linked ordering and distribution. The company specializes in corporate communications, direct mail, advertising materials, and multi-color printing.