The story of how MBM Print, a Scottish provider of printing and binding solutions, partnered with Solema to tackle the challenge of fully automating its perfect binding and finishing end-of-line – resulting in a more efficient and flexible production process.
Today's update is a clear example of how replacing an outdated perfect binding line with a new-generation model can deliver real, tangible benefits. That's exactly what happened at MBM Print, a Scottish company that turned to Solema to automate its perfect binding and finishing end-of-line just as the market was calling for it. Discover how.
MBM Print, a provider of custom printing solutions
MBM is a leading printing services company based in Glasgow, Scotland, offering custom solutions that go beyond the traditional printing process. Its clients include high-profile brands such as Sony, Toyota and Canon.
The first contact between Solema and MBM took place at drupa24, the global trade fair for the printing and graphic arts industry. That meeting laid the foundations for a collaboration that was later formalised in early 2025.
The challenge: replacing the old line with a next-generation model
In recent years, the fast pace of technological development and the drive to optimise production processes left MBM facing an unavoidable choice: to replace its old perfect binding line – considered obsolete and no longer fit for purpose – with a new, next-generation line that would be more efficient and higher performing.
Automation played a key role in the decision: the rising cost of labour, combined with a decline in the availability of skilled personnel, made it essential to adopt an automated line capable of achieving more with fewer staff.
After various assessments, MBM chose to rely on the performance of an Alegro Perfect Binder, the perfect binding line produced by Muller Martini.
Alegro: a quality choice
Alegro is a highly flexible machine which, thanks to its high level of automation, allows easy switching from one job to another with fast, efficient format changes. It can handle a wide range of sizes, from ultra-small up to A3.
This type of line performs especially well in the formats where MBM excels: album and mini pocket, both of which can be produced on the Alegro in "two-up" mode, significantly reducing production costs.
Full line automation: driven by Solema's expertise
At this point, a partner was needed to automate the Alegro end-of-line. This is where Solema stepped in. After reviewing MBM's requirements, our team set to work on proposing the best complete automation solution for the line.
Our mission was clear: to provide MBM with an automated finishing end-of-line to maximise the return on its investment in Alegro.
After sharing layout options based on the available space and identifying the most appropriate machines, Solema invited MBM Print to Pedrengo to see and test the end-of-line in person.
The MBM Print delegation was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the proposed solution. Representing a genuine turning point, it offers a fluid and fully automated system with a completely new level of technological capability, one that fits perfectly with the performance of Alegro.
The Solema solution: an automatic boxing machine Magic Box and Pluton palletiser
The Solema end-of-line automation project – which sits between perfect binding and finishing, where the books come off the stacker and need to be packed – uses a Magic Box, an innovative, fully automated boxing machine that can also be run in by-pass mode, connected downstream to a Pluton, Solema's long-standing palletiser: two machines that pair perfectly with the speed of Alegro.
What began as a challenge to replace an obsolete binder has thus become a renewed investment in the future of MBM and a bold step forward in automation and innovation.
A fully automated line that boosts productivity
Only a few months after installation, the new line was delivering clear value for MBM, driving higher productivity and notable reductions in both processing times and labour costs.
Are you interested in an automation audit, too? Email us at info@solema.it or call +39 035 654111.