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Hershey Foods Corporation (Hershey), one of the great American fortunes,
has been producing chocolate since the early 1900’s with a commitment
to quality and value. This commitment is also evident in Hershey’s
in-plant operations. From Hershey’s headquarters in Hershey, PA, the
in-plant began about 40 years ago with two employees and two Multigrahic
1250 single color presses. Today, Hershey has a wide assortment of
equipment, employs 10 people and does approximately 10 million
impressions per month.
Recently,
Hershey acquired a new computer-controlled folding technology, which is
helping them reduce outsourcing costs. Says Robert Wamsher, manager,
printing services of Hershey, "We use the folder for odd jobs that
require quick turnaround. Previously we had to send those jobs outside
for finishing which was close to a couple of million pieces a month. We’ve
reduced our costs for producing a piece because we can keep it inside
now." He says the computer-controlled folder has helped produce
quicker turnaround times, especially needed in the on-demand environment
that exists today. An estimated 30% has been saved in outsourcing costs
for Hershey.
How
does the computer-control technology work? Fold plates automatically
move into position according to the data entered via a central operator
control panel. Repetitive jobs are stored in memory, up to 60 fold
types, and the job number is recalled often in less than a minute.
Wamsher
says they change folds two to three times a day with runs of about
50,000 each on average. He says "one of the features we like"
is the programmable memory. "It used to take us 30 minutes in
set-up time on a manual folder but now we can set-up a job in a
minute." Keeping labor costs down has been one of Hershey’s
successful strategies. "It can be tough to hire more people so the
best way to get around that is to acquire more productive
equipment." Wamsher says, "We have produced enough savings
with the folder that we can pay it off in eight months."
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Robert Wamsher Manager, printing
services Hershey, PA
Application
Advertising material
requiring short runs of a variety of stock and paper sizes
Solution
CAS
52-B SetMATIC Folder
Benefits
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