News

Sheridan Books located in Chelsea, Michigan decided to install floor conveyors and one ST 280 vertical log stacker from CIVIEMME-SYSTEM.

The post press system behind the newly installed Timson T48A book press allows for efficient and reliable processing of signatures. Over the past years, Sheridan Books was very satisfied with CIVIEMME-SYSTEM equipment and decided for the vertical log stacking technology several times.

From 2002 to 2007, floor conveying systems and three ST280 vertical log stackers have been installed behind three Timson T48A book presses.

The Italian printer Rotolito Lombarda trusts in proven technology and decides for vertical log stacking technology of CIVIEMME-SYSTEM.

Founded in 1976, the company based in Milano offers a wide range of products and prints books, magazines, catalogues and commercial inserts in almost every format. Therefore, reliable post press equipment that meets all the demands of modern finishing systems was required for the finishing of products behind a newly installed KBA C618 web press.

Rotolito Lombarda decided to install two ST 420 vertical log stackers as well as one PL 86 DUAL log palletizer from CIVIEMME-SYSTEM. The products are transported via RIMA-SYSTEM conveyors from the folder delivery of the KBA C618 web press as well as from an existing KBA C818 to the vertical log stackers. The log stackers turn the shingled stream into logs of a length of up to 1200 mm. The finished logs are automatically compressed, strapped and transported to the delivery table. From the delivery table the products are directed to the double palletizer PL 86 DUAL and are placed precisely onto empty pallets.

With the decision for CIVIEMME-SYSTEME equipment, Rotolito Lombarda continues a successful long-term partnership. From 2000 to 2006, ten ST 420 vertical log stackers, eight log palletizers and several conveying systems have been installed behind web presses of different press manufacturers. Thanks to the positive experience with the previously installed systems and thanks to the good cooperation with the manufacturer, Rotolito Lombarda has decided to renew their trust in CIVIEMME-SYSTEM by choosing their post press equipment again.

The foundation of the Italian company caused quite a stir in the post press market. Beside congratulations from all over the world, many questions regarding the future of RIMA-SYSTEM and CIVIEMME-SYSTEM were raised. Dr. Christian Tübke and Klaus Kalthoff took some time to answer the frequently asked questions.

Question: Will the manufacturing base in Italy be run for a long-term or will manufacturing be re-located from Italy to Germany or the USA? How many employees were retained from CIVIEMME?

Answer: To maintain the manufacturing base in Bogogno near to Milan was not an easy decision to make. But during negotiations we gradually became acquainted with the local staff and decided to start with an experienced core team and to focus on those products which helped CIVIEMME to capture the global market. In addition, the CIVIEMME-SYSTEM manufacturing facility in Italy is a very important base for Service & Spare Parts and ensures the fast and direct support of all CIVIEMME-customers. This was one important aspect for maintaining Bogogno factory. CIVIEMME-SYSTEM started with a team of 21 local employees to be well-suited for optimal support of new and existing installations. Not at least, it was the qualified personnel who achieved the excellent reputation of CIVIEMME. It is possible that the number of employees will be increased again in the future.

Question: The well-known vertical log stackers are now a part of the CIVIEMME-SYSTEM. What about the rest of the equipment that was provided by CIVIEMME?

Answer:  CIVIEMME-SYSTEM will strongly focus on supplying the vertical log stackers, including the corresponding peripheral equipment, i.e. floor and overhead conveyors, log palletizers and robots. Trimming and stacking are presently not in the focus and will still be provided by RIMA-SYSTEM. But CIVIEMME-SYSTEM will be the reliable partner for spare parts for all new and already installed CIVIEMME components.  

Question: Will the pressure on the post press market decrease a bit after the merger?

Answer: We expect a permanent cost pressure in the web printing industry in addition to an increasing global concentration of web printers through mergers and acquisitions as well as through purchasing co-operation agreements. In this context and with the knowledge that our customers are equipped with RIMA-SYSTEM and CIVIEMME solutions as well, printers will benefit from the merger by getting comprehensive support from only a single  company. The positive feedback we got from our customers and partners corroborates this approach at 100%. We do not know if there will be further mergers in the post press market but we are certain that the foundation stone of any merger will be laid by the customer.

Question: What is RIMA-SYSTEM's position in the post press market?

Answer: RIMA-SYSTEM has successfully faced the demands of the post press market and is surely the most stable medium-sized post press company. We will still continue to offer innovative solutions to increase customer's productivity. With our global sales and service network, reliable technology and qualified personnel we will continue to work hard collaboration with our customers to realize optimal solutions. For ourselves, we think we have done our homework and are well-prepared for future market demands. And we do not want to change from this position in future - being a very stable, reliable and innovative post press partner for customers worldwide.

For more than 20 years CIVIEMME has been the leader in vertical log stacking. Many printers have successfully equipped the backend of their presses with ST 220, ST 280, ST 420 and ST 8000 log stackers. For many years these machines defined the standard in vertical log stacking.

Globalization, very volatile printing markets and the rapidly increasing complexity of post press solutions forced the printing plants to shift towards strong suppliers with a global presence, able to offer complete solutions and local service. In this change CIVIEMME – seen as a specialist for vertical log stackers - has suffered a strong loss of momentum. In the last couple of months the situation became increasingly difficult. On August 1st, 2008 CIVIEMME SPA has eventually terminated its operation.

At the same time RIMA-SYSTEM has successfully evolved to a worldwide solution provider with superior solutions and a reliable local service through its worldwide Project Centers. Today RIMA-SYSTEM is recognized as the technology leader in most post press areas and together with its Project Centers and exclusive dealers RIMA-SYSTEM is committed to further improve its services and solutions for its customers.

We are now very proud to announce that we will be able to offer you

„The Best of Two Worlds – One Partner for CIVIEMME and RIMA-SYSTEM Solutions!“

Starting August 1st, 2008 all RIMA-SYSTEM Project Centers will sell, service & support on a exclusive basis all CIVIEMME vertical log stacking solutions. Having two of the world leading post press technologies under one roof will be a great opportunity for all customers.

This new and exciting situation has become possible by founding CIVIEMME-SYSTEM, a new Italian company which is part of the RIMA-SYSTEM group. The new company exclusively took over a branch of business from CIVIEMME including several employees. The day to day business at CIVIEMME-SYSTEM will be directed by the former and experienced Managers from CIVIEMME who will be supported by Mr. Klaus Kalthoff and Dr. Christian Tuebke as Managing Directors and by Dr. Gunnar Streidt as President. The new CIVIEMME-SYSTEM will generally work through the RIMA-SYSTEM Project Centers in Europe, USA & Canada and Asia which will sell the products from CIVIEMME-SYSTEM on an exclusive basis and grant service and support for this new product line as well as for the many CIVIEMME installations around the world.

We are thrilled about this new opportunity, combining the skills and long term experience of CIVIEMME in the area of vertical log stacking and the strong market coverage of RIMA-SYSTEM – a combination which will be especially beneficial for all our customers around the world.

Special thanks go to Rotolito Lombarda (floor and overhead conveyors, 2 x ST 420 log stacker with PL 86/dual palletizer), Roto3 (conveying, trimming, ST 420 log stacker with PL 86 palletizer) as well as RRD Poland (extension of the recently installed CIVIEMME installation with 2 x ST 420 log stackers), who already trusted in the new company by deciding for solutions from CIVIEMME-SYSTEM.