La Crosse Graphics Installs Mitsubishi Commercial Web Press

The GCX is housed in an 18,000-square-foot addition about 100 feet from the main plant. The low-profile machine, designed for the high-end general commercial printing market, has a maximum web width of 38 inches and a 22 3/4-inch cutoff. Its top printing speed is 1,800 feet per minute. It features a pinless former folder, a combination folder and a sheeter. La Crosse Graphics currently is looking at trimming and gluing equipment. The company uses the press to print 8 1/2 x 11-inch or comparable size products in signatures of 16, eight and four pages.

“It is a fast and smooth-running press,” Morgan said. “The manufacturing efficiencies are huge. For example, we can print 300,000 catalogs at a competitive price in less time and with fewer press operators. The press easily accommodates lightweight paper, and there is very little waste with the gapless units and folder.”

Morgan is a great believer in redundancy. While the strengths of the full-web and half-web presses are not exactly interchangeable, Morgan knows he can move long-run projects to either machine if the need arises.

“However, it goes beyond the technology,” Morgan said. “Mitsubishi is a critical part of our team in every way. The Mitsubishi organization has a better can-do attitude than other companies. The service people know us. We always receive immediate, excellent support from them.”