Multi Bookbinding is the grand winner of the Gutenberg award in the Binding category at the 42nd Gutenberg Gala held in Montreal, in front of more than 450 guests on April 25th. In addition to this award, Multi Bookbinding was the binding partner for three other winners in the following categories: Publishing – Magazine, Publishing – Books, and the Jury’s Favorite Award. It was a magnificent evening to recognize the excellent work of our entire team. (See video, available in French only)
Left to right: Marie-Soleil Michon, Host | Patrick Pâquet, VP Operations | Yvon Sauvageau, President | André Gagnier, General Manager of Impression Paragraph and presenter of the award in the category
We are pleased to announce the signing of a fifth collective agreement with the Employee Association of Multi-Reliure S.F. Inc. This agreement, spanning a duration of 4 years, reflects the strong and harmonious relationship between the employees and management. The swift conclusion of this agreement is the result of the atmosphere of trust that has prevailed within the company for many years.
We completed the successful integration of a state-of-the-art production line for hardcover books (click here to see the video). With an investment of $4.5 million, enabling the commissioning of a Diamant MC 60 Casing-in Line, manufactured in Germany by Müller Martini. By bolstering our production capacity and enhancing operational efficiency, this solidifies our leading position in the Hard Cover book production. “North American printers face significant pressure from American publishers to meet required production volumes and avoid being ‘forced’ to print in Asia.” said Yvon Sauvageau, the company’s president. “During the Covid pandemic, demand far exceeded production capacity in North America. The addition of a casing-in production line is a direct response to this demand.” The addition of a new production line marks a crucial milestone in the company’s ongoing pursuit of operational excellence and customer satisfaction. This reflects its commitment to proudly manufacture standout books while addressing the growing challenges of North American printers.
We have expanded our factory by 16,000 square feet to accommodate a brand-new casing-In line, a packaging department, and a new shipping dock. This $1.5 million investment brings the total area of the company to 80,000 square feet, thereby strengthening our operational capacity. With this new infrastructure, we are now equipped to handle over 600 skids of work in progress, enabling us to better meet the needs of our customers and continue our growth.
Launch of two thermal laminators for book covers. We have recently replaced our 20-year-old equipment with the Autobond Mini 76 TH-PHR and the Cosmo CF 6300.
Those new items of equipment will allow us to increase the quality, the capacity and to secure production during peak periods. Having a significant market share, we took into consideration digital printing and added optional features on the equipment enabling the lamination of more intricate sheets.
Annick Forgues joins the team as Executive Assistant and HR Manager. Her contribution to the organization will ensure continuity in the structuring of the HR component with the objective of growing our employer brand in the region. Her experience in human resources in the manufacturing sector will be quickly put to good use and will allow us to continue our sales growth.
With more than 75 employees, Multi Bookbinding must design and implement customized training plans for our type of highly mechanized production line while having at heart developing and maintaining the skills of our staff.
Premere BLS II personalization of graduation albums (click here to see the video)
A great leap forward with the automation of the personalization of graduation albums, a specialty at Multi-Reliure since our creation in 1988. This production line replaces a lead-based production method from the 1950s. The process is done directly from a Word file and the albums are fed continuously. No matrix and no rejects!
Kolbus PK 170 Board Cutter (click here to see the video)
Installation of cardboard cutting and squaring technology for the manufacture of rigid covers. This investment allows us a greater autonomy in the just-in-time manufacturing of all our orders. The precision of this German technology is now coupled with digital measuring tools. With the complexity of our supply chains, this addition comes at the right time!
New Dust Recycling Process
In its ongoing process of continuous improvement, Multi-Reliure has acquired a Weima C150 unit for the compression of all dust coming from the sawing of bounded book spines. This process allows the elimination of 65,000 lbs of landfill waste per year, the equivalent of about 7 full 53-foot trailers. The highly compressed dust transforms this production waste into briquettes that are sold as biomass…a net gain for the environment, a cleaner plant and a safer work environment!
Installation of a brand-new Case Maker Kolbus DA 280 (Click here to see the video). This machine which is used to manufacture hard covers is the fastest ever produced by Kolbus with a rate of 100 covers per minute. This acquisition offers the possibility of making 3-piece covers (Quarter bound cover) in an automated way and asymmetric spines for special displays. In addition to finalizing this installation, we took the opportunity to redo the complete Layout of the 15,000 sq. Ft. department with the addition of a Polar knife and a ventilation system.
Start-up of a brand new production line, Kolbus Boxer BX200 (click here to see the video), for the production of custom-made and on-demand cardboard boxes. This investment is in line with our mission of innovation and will bring many benefits to our customers including:
Multi Bookbinding team is growing with the arrival of Ms. Michelle Côté and Mr. Brent Mackie. They hold the positions of Production Coordinator and Regional Sales Manager for the Ontario and United States markets, respectively. They will contribute to the efforts already undertaken to increase the quality of our services, expand our presence in Ontario and develop the US market.
Multi-Reliure is the big winner in the regional investment category of the MMCQ (Manufacturiers de la Mauricie et du Centre du Québec). The award was presented to Yvon Sauvageau, President and his partner Patrick Pâquet at the 2019 Le Manufacturier Gala. This is an industry recognition for the quality of its Leader 2020 investment plan.
Watch the video (in French only)
We are very proud to have won this award which recognizes the quality of our team and our operations!
Gala Distinction Desjardins
In the category: Manufacturing Company, presented by the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation
Watch the video (in French only)
We’ve upgraded our compressor room by adding two 50 HP Kaeser BSD-50 screw compressors and a TF-174 refrigeration dryer.
We will certainly have enough air to support our growth!
Appointment of Denise Gignac to the position of Production Supervisor with the following responsibilities:
This nomination is part of her progression at Multi-Reliure after having distinguished herself by her attitude and her qualities as operator of several types of equipment since August 1999.
Multi Bookbinding just completed the installation and training of a brand-new Smyth Sewing machine AsterPRO 44 from Meccanotecnica (click here to see the video). With the addition of a third production line with all the cutting-edge technologies for automatic book sewing, this new investment will almost double the sewing capability of the company and keep Multi Bookbinding in the leading position in Case Binding production.
The main features of the machine are:
Installation of a brand new Perfect Binder Kolbus KM 610a manufactured to our requirements in Germany. This addition increases our production capacity by 60% and allows us to offer Case Binding with PUR glue, Layflat binding.
A major investment to support growing demand in the book business.
Appointment of Gypsi Gagnon to the position of Operations Foreman with the following responsibilities:
This appointment is in line with his progress at Multi-Reliure after having distinguished himself as head operator in thermobinding. Mr. Gagnon has been with the company since September 2006.
The addition of an automatic horizontal 2-ton Balemaster press optimizes paper management and baling. By packaging our waste paper in bales, we maximize the resale value to recyclers and, most importantly, we eliminate landfill. Multi-Reliure is a first-choice partner concerned about the environmental footprint of its operations. Recycling is at the very heart of our concerns!
The addition of automatic FeedMaster 3840 section feeders on our Kolbus KM 473 binder increases production speed while reducing the physical effort required by operators to load section rolls that can weigh over 100lbs. This is another investment that reflects the willingness of Multi-Reliure to accompany our printer customers in their development.
Multi Bookbinding now offers an efficient solution for recycling plastic spiral, through our division Spiraplast.
Our team has developed a way to incorporate almost 20% recycled PVC in our black wire formula.
Printers, copy centers, and binding workshops can now recycle their accumulated surplus plastic spiral with this ecological method, all while recouping a few dollars. To avoid shipping costs, just add your extra boxes of plastic spiral to any binding job sent to us.
To support the pace required by the very long runs from rotary presses that supply material in rolls, Manutention Rive-Sud has proceeded with the installation of a Demag 30-metre overhead crane with two electric brackets.
This addition gives us greater efficiency and reduces the risk of workplace accidents linked to the handling of rolls that can weigh more than 100lbs, and is a step in the preparation for adding automatic section feeders in 2018.
At the 35th Gutenberg Gala on June 1st, Multi-Bookbinding was awarded a 2017 Gutenberg Technical Challenge Award in the Finishing category for our work on the production of a book for our client, Novagraf Marketing.
This prestigious award was not only the result of teamwork and a mastery of binding techniques, but was also due to a well-conceived design to begin with.
To see a video (available in French only) of the winning project, visit Gala Gutenberg 2017
As soon as I mention that my company produces books, the reaction is almost always the same: “Printing is dead…” This perception is widespread in society and heavily perpetuated by the media. It’s comforting to say that we no longer need printed products, that everything is happening online. However, the reality is quite different, and the printing industry has positioned itself differently in our lives.
There are approximately 50,000 people working in the printing industry in Canada. While this number has decreased over the past 10 years due to numerous mergers and closures of less efficient print shops, it has stabilized. In fact, today’s printing facilities operate at an unimaginable speed compared to 15 or 20 years ago, significantly reducing prices, production lead times, and the required workforce.
For most people, printing is synonymous with newspapers, books, and business cards. However, since the turn of the century, we have witnessed the evolution and growing presence of printed products that we couldn’t have envisioned before the advent of the digital age: printed cans indicating beer temperature, custom entrance mats for businesses, full personalized storefronts, small-run color books down to a single copy, labels on virtually any product, highly specialized magazines targeting niche audiences, banners and customized items at every point of sale, high-quality printed patterns on clothing or fabrics, containers of various shapes and materials printed with colors and images, fully personalized statements and invoices, catalogs tailored to your shopping habits, not to mention 3D printing, and more.
Books are still very much present, despite what the media may suggest. The digital realm is here to stay, but it has stopped growing significantly in recent years. The negative environmental impact of printed books has also decreased as people increasingly understand that they are 100% recycled and 100% recyclable, which is far from the case with our electronic gadgets.
What matters now in printing is the relevance of the product. In the past, to reduce the unit cost of a product and make it affordable, it had to be printed in large quantities. This is no longer necessary. We print the right quantity at the right time and at the best cost, completely changing the game. Just think that back in the 1980s, color separation for an 8×10-inch photo could cost up to $200. Imagine the added cost to a Sears catalog. This step has been completely eliminated for many years, along with most other pre-press production steps.
In short, when I have more than 5 minutes to present my line of work, people better understand what the printing industry is like today. A visit to our facilities or those of a modern printer always creates the same impact. People are amazed by the technology of the machines, the cleanliness of the premises, and the quality of the finished products. We are far from the time when a pressman had one car for work and another for the weekends…
What remains is the need to communicate, and the printing industry plays this role just like the web, radio, television, and whatever else will be invented in the coming years!
Multi-Bookbinding continues their growth with the purchase of the assets of Quebec City’s Spiraplast, a producer of high-quality PVC wire for spiral-binding. Founded in 1988 by André Primeau, Spiraplast has a fleet of equipment which includes a Deltaplast D45 extruder line and 4 spiral forming machines from Renz and Bomco.
All of this equipment has now been integrated into Multi-Bookbinding’s 57,000 square-foot plant. Multi-Bookbinding will be offering their new product to both their existing clients as well as to those of Spiraplast, consisting of renowned binderies, copy centres, printers, and professional offices throughout Quebec and Ontario.
“We’re proud with this addition to our services. There are only two other companies in Canada that produce spirals made from PVC particles. Binderies are always under pressure to deliver in record time. Vertical integration is one solution, plus we create new jobs in our versatile team of 60 employees” states Yvon Sauvageau, president of Multi-Bookbinding since 2008.
Multi-Bookbinding announces an investment in sustainable development with the installation of a stabilization system for our power factor.
This system from Power Quebec will result in an annual reduction of 34,000 kWh and 2,000 kg of CO2 for Multi-Bookbinding.
Adding this system is part of our company’s philosophy of increasing efficiency while reducing our ecological footprint.
Despite all the options available to enhance the flexibility of a work, including PUR adhesive, sewing, freehand binding (Layflat or Otabind), and respecting the grain direction, a work bound with adhesive (thermal binding) has certain constraints.
Too often, we see designs poorly adapted to the type of binding. Texts ending up 1/8 inch from the spine, Spreads (images or text flowing between two consecutive pages) with important details and titles in the joint, or folios 1/16 inch from the cut.
When a job is bound on a gluer, there may be dozens of signatures assembled at the same time. All these signatures (sections or booklets) have experienced some variation in folding and/or assembly. Certain adjustments must be made with a three-sided knife to avoid cutting into the folios or clearing the Spreads. When the design is well executed, these adjustments are not noticeable, but if the design leaves no room for maneuver, everyone can see it!
Make sure that the information in the center is not critical to prevent the reader from feeling the need to undo the binding to see the missing detail!
It is easy to see how the cover hides the first page of the volume. The gluing is generally 3/8 inch (9 mm).
It is preferable to keep a margin of about 0.75 inch (19 mm) for a comfortable consultation without constraints caused by the binding.
It is not advisable to put text that overlaps two pages. The compensation varies too much depending on the rise of the glue, the position of the pages in the volume, the type of glue, the type of paper, etc.
In some cases, a bad design can lead to incomprehensible words and force the reader to break the volume to read properly…
Do not hesitate to have your design validated by a binder specializing in thermal binding.
It’s been over 10 years (since January 27, 2010) since the iPad was launched by Steve Jobs. This Apple device popularized the term “e-reade”.
Electronic readers existed well before the iPad, but Apple’s impact on this market was immediate. Although it wasn’t the best e-reader, Apple dominated this market segment.
The days seemed numbered for the book and magazine market… Yet, today, we find ourselves with a flourishing industry. Although sales volumes have decreased, they have not reached a point where this market segment is no longer profitable.
“The production costs of a book or magazine have significantly decreased over the past 20 years.”
As a bookbinder, we work with many printers specializing in publishing. There have been mergers in recent years and significant investments in new equipment. This is a clear sign that there is confidence in the stability, or even growth, of sales volumes!
The production costs of a book or magazine have significantly decreased over the past 20 years. There’s no more scanning, no more assembling negatives, no more hours of press setup, layout is more automated, and printing and binding speeds have more than tripled!
“A printed book brings great credibility to the author compared to any blog”
Print runs have significantly decreased, but the number of titles is rapidly increasing. There’s a magazine for every niche and a book for every subject. In fact, a printed book brings great credibility to the author compared to any blog. To write a blog (as I’m currently doing!), there’s no financial risk because there’s no cost involved. However, a printed book requires an investment of time and money, which eliminates many rushed publications.
Even though production costs have significantly decreased, it remains an investment! The author of a book will be associated with that book for many years, which is not the case with ephemeral blogs.
And e-books?
They have a certain market share in the world of publishing, but it stagnates between 10 and 20% of publishers’ sales, or even less in terms of profitability. The e-book is an additional format for the dissemination of a book. Previously, there were hardcover and softcover versions, then the paperback version was added. Now, the tablet version and the audio version are shaking up the three formats.
Readers appreciate the tangible aspect of a printed book or magazine. They often mention the smell of the paper, the pleasure of flipping through the pages, the ease of sharing their favorite books, not to mention the ability to annotate margins, highlight passages, cut out articles, and fold corners of important pages. In short, the physical object is cherished.
There’s also the incomparable quality. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a magazine from the 1990s, you’ll notice a significant difference in terms of print quality, number of images, paper quality, and precision of binding. The progress is undeniable.
In conclusion, there’s also the environmental impact to consider. People now better understand that paper is a recycled and recyclable product made from wood, a renewable plant resource. Electronic gadgets, on the other hand, are not and continue to accumulate at an ever-faster pace of obsolescence.
Multi-Reliure introduces you to the four recognized methods for binding a volume using thermal binding. In this article, you will learn to differentiate them and recognize their particularities. This way, you’ll better understand thermal binding production, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
1. The classic method (Perfect binding)
Documents (volumes or magazines) are produced, assembled, and glued using a hot melt EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) adhesive. The preparation of the spine involves sawing 1/8 inch at the spine. This type of thermal binding is the most common in the industry.
The perforations in the middle are used only as an aid in folding.
The 0.125″ section that will be ground off during binding.
Advantages:
− Offers a cost-effective production
− Allows for rapid production
− Ideal for magazines or fast-consumption type documents
− Presents a beautiful finished product for the cost (good value for money)
Disadvantages:
− More fragile at the spine and may be used for the most common productions, not requiring long-term consultations
− Limited lifespan
− Sensitive to thermal changes; the adhesive can reactivate or break in very cold or very hot temperatures
2. The notch binding method
Documents (volumes or magazines) are produced, assembled, and glued using a hot melt EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) adhesive without trimming at the spine. It involves a mechanical perforation of the assembled booklet at the back. This type of thermal binding is the industry’s second most common method.
Notched signature. There is no grind-off before binding.
It is more than a simple perforation; excess paper is removed to allow the glue to flow through.
Advantages:
− Very strong as a product
− Provides a better result than other methods when images span two pages (spreads) since there’s no need to compensate for sawing the booklet
− Requires less space on a press sheet, thus allowing the possibility to modify the paper format to optimize production
− Allows cost savings in printing if the paper is optimized. The production cost is the same as for the classic method
Disadvantages:
− Requires great precision during folding, as any variation will make the perforations visible
− Limited lifespan
− Sensitive to thermal changes; the adhesive can reactivate or break in very cold or very hot temperatures
3. The PUR adhesive (polyurethane glue) method
This thermal binding method has become very popular since 2005 and is widely used. This type of adhesive is really flexible and very strong. The binding is produced using the classic method but with this very powerful glue. PUR adhesive has revolutionized the binding and printing industry.
Advantages:
− Much more flexible and stronger than hot EVA glue
− Offers the same production speed as a classic thermal binding
− Uses a stable adhesive that cannot reactivate in heat or break in cold
− Ideal for glossy paper works bound with pages against the grain
Disadvantages:
− The cost is on average 5 to 10% higher than the classic method (regarding the binding cost, not the overall product cost)
−Requires a longer drying time
−Fragile during the first 24 hours after production in urgent cases (and God knows we often produce in a hurry!)
4. The Smyth Sewn method
This production method allows for the creation of high-quality works and is used for publications such as dictionaries, Bibles, product catalogs, and high-quality books. This bound product is significantly superior in all aspects. The documents are assembled without trimming at the spine. They are sewn mechanically using a thread, ensuring unparalleled lifespan and strength.
Bookblock sewn with nylon thread.
The thread is visible in the middle of the signature, and may also show the rise of the glue.
Advantages:
− Impossible to see pages detach from the volume
− Increased flexibility
− Stronger in all respects
Disadvantages:
− Requires a longer production time, as collating, assembling, and sewing are additional steps before thermal binding
− The cost for binding is about 50% higher than the classic method
− Sewing thread visible at the center of the booklets
Note: The cost of binding in the complete production of a document (volume, magazine, etc.) represents an average of 5% of the total cost of the retail price if ALL costs (design, printing, binding, transport, etc.) are included. Binding is an often overlooked element that, however, adds value and offers a superior product when well-chosen. Contact us for more information on the many advantages of our production methods. One of our specialists will help you make the best decision based on your real needs and budget.
We know the creation of a book is the result of a lot of hard work. However, as bookbinders, we see that
this hard work is often ruined by questionable choices at the design stage. Some simple basic tips and a
good framework can change this, though. Here are five tips for producing a book within the rules of the art
and make your book more attractive and enjoyable to read!
1- Choose the correct grain direction:
This is probably the most under-estimated factor when choosing a printer. The client requests a price (the best!) and then compares prices without ever suspecting (due to a lack of knowledge and good advice) that the grain direction of the pages has a major impact on the finished product. This is even more important when working with thicker paper. The grain direction of the paper affects the flexibility of a book. If you examine a book whose pages or cover have been printed on stock with the incorrect grain direction required for binding, you will find a very rigid product whose pages don’t want to stay open. The wrong grain direction can also cause the loosening of some pages in the book, causing them to fall out. This is an important consideration.
It is often more expensive to print books with the correct grain direction for binding, since the printer has to impose signatures of 12 pages instead of 16 pages, thus resulting in more plates and press set-ups. However, with the choice of tools at the disposal of printers today, it is often possible to print without breaking the budget. It is also equally possible to design the book in landscape format, which changes the orientation of the grain.
2- Choose the right type of binding:
3- Think about the graphic design elements
Avoid placing images in two-page spreads (cross-overs) with important details or elements in the middle of the spread. There isn’t a magical formula to ensure that the image will be perfectly seen without forcing open the binding and potentially breaking the spine. This can be even more disastrous with text spreading across two pages. In perfect binding, don’t forget to adjust the images on the inside front and inside back covers to compensate for the side glue, which can hide up to 0.5″ (12 mm) of the image.
Note: We suggest that you consult with your printer to get their recommendations in order to produce a
final product that will meet your expectations.
4- Think about the durability required for the book
There are works which require superior durability due to their long shelf-life or use (cookbooks, religious works, dictionaries, school books, catalogues, yearbooks, etc.). To ensure the durability of the book, there are three factors to consider – the grain direction, the type of glue (EVA or PUR), and sewing. Binding a sewn catalogue can cost up to 40% more compared to a catalogue produced with hot glue (EVA), but sewing is the only method which guarantees the durability of the binding. There isn’t any possibility of the pages coming loose, which can happen when using only glue. Before eliminating the option of sewing, ask yourself this question – how much does this 40% increase in binding cost actually represent in the total production of the work (including design, typesetting, photography, printing, distribution, etc.)? Is it worth it to invest this amount and thus have the assurance that the book will stand up to its specified use?
Of course!
5- Consider the time
Each type of binding requires a different production time. Once completion dates are set, they are difficult to move with a full production schedule. People think about the timelines needed to correct proofs and to print, but often under-estimate the time needed for the chosen binding method. Certain types of bindings, such as case binding or mechanical binding (plastic spiral), require up to 8 – 10 working days for production. Errors in binding are very costly and have major consequences on the final product. You have to allow the necessary time and take into account the busy periods in the industry. We suggest you follow our blog to keep well-informed on this subject!
Until next time!
To support the increased volume in the production of our three-ring binders, Multi-Bookbinding has begun installation of a second unit for applying rivets.
Our new Arno 105 will double our production capability and will also, due to better control of piston pressure, increase our quality.
On September 2, Multi-Bookbinding held a tour of our facilities for our industry clients. We had the opportunity to welcome 10 clients for a very busy day.
Marquis Gagné, Transcontinental Québec, LithoChic, FL Chicoine Printing House, Imprimerie de la Rive Sud et Marquis Imprimeur were our distinguished guests on this occasion.
Increased control over our production environment has been obtained with the addition of a humidity regulating system, Carel, using German-technology. It ensures that a level of 44% humidity is maintained during the cold season. This controlled humidity level eliminates static, reduces the movement of dust, and, above all, keeps the paper pliable and flat, leading to increased quality in our production and higher productivity.
In order to showcase the addition of our new services (spiral binding, Wire-O binding, and sample-card production), Multi-Bookbinding has made over our website. We took the opportunity to review our content indexing and update the search engine optimization. A newly-added and very interesting section is our blog, where we will publish articles on a regular basis. Multi-Bookbinding is now more than ever present on the web!
The start-up of our casebinding department for the production of binders and display stands for the sampling industry. This follows the acquisition of the assets of K.D. Bindery in June. Moved to our plant in Shawinigan, this department is equipped with high-performance CMC Italia machines ((HSV-70, Heliomat and Ariemat).
Relocation of the mechanical binding (spiral binding and Wire-O binding) division from Alternative Bindery in Quebec City. After acquiring the assets of this business, we arranged space to to accommodate a large fleet of equipment and specialized production team. The installation of a Bielomatik gives MultiBookbinding a definite advantage in the production of Wire-O bound and metal spiral works, since this machine drills and inserts in a single step! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weQlEyaNVvc
INVESTMENT. (Source Hebdo du St-Maurice)
Shawinigan-based Multi-Bookbinding has just completed two important transactions. The acquisition of K.D. Bindery and Alternative Bindery will not only consolidate the company in the binding industry, but also add ten employees to their staff.
“We have acquired the assets of two business, K.D. Bindery in Longueuil and Alternative Bindery in Quebec City. This is part of our revival plan,” explained Yvon Sauvageau, general manager of Multi- Bookbinding, when reached by Hebdo last week. These two acquisitions represent an investment amounting to $800,000.
Addition of an automatic jogger, the POLAR RA-4, on the POLAR 115, our main cutter. This automatic jogger prepares new material for the cutter while the operator is cutting sheets. The precise alignment of the material to be cut and the improved cutting accuracy lay the foundation for obtaining a high-quality uniform end-product. The air exhaust system improves the formation of lifts from the reams to be cut and gives perfect alignment on the press side-guide.
Improvement to our personalized stamping capabilities with the addition of a new Qwick Print foil stamper. This machine allows the operator to fully concentrate on positioning the stamp as well as making any corrections to the copy being stamped while the foil is automatically fed into the machine.
Evening reception on March 15th at La Cité de l’Énergie de Shawinigan to celebrate the start of our 25th anniversary celebrations (Louis Baribeau, Yvon Sauvageau, Patrick Pâquet, and Pierre Pâquet, husband of the founder of Multi-Bookbinding, Suzanne Ferron).
Release of our Beisik» estimating system to our major clients. Provides autonomy in estimating and generates layouts for the production of both casebound and softcover jobs.
Addition of a Potdevin gluer to improve our production of book slipcases and cards/cases for samples/swatches.
Modifications on our Cermi machine allow us to produce a flush french-flap on either the front or back cover panel in a single pass. Previously, we had to have the flaps on both the front and back panels.
Development of a new version of our ERP system. New features include personalization of packing slips with our client logos, automatic email confirmation of receipt of jobs at our plant, and automatic daily tracking of orders.
Renewal of the collective agreement with our production staff (Syndicat des employés de Multi-Bookbinding) for the next 5 years.
Addition of 2 pressing units on the sewers. This eliminates wrinkling on sewn books over 1″ thick.
Implementation of our environmental policy. Lighting in the plant has been replaced with a highly efficient system, selective recycling sorting has been extended to all departments (including the office), purchase of FSC-certified cartons is a priority, and the weather-stripping in our 8 garage doors has been upgraded to save on heating.
Installation of our 12-unit Kolbus ZU-803 gathering machine. Sewn jobs will be produced more quickly and more efficiently than before.
Installation of two electrostatic units allowing the automatic insertion of reply cards. This will shorten production time, since reply cards can be inserted while the book is being assembled.
Winner of the 15th Gala Distinction Desjardins category Manufacturer (26 or more employees).
Installation of our Kolbus Cermi XCR 650 trimmer. The only one in Canada, this machine allows us to apply and trim perfectbound French-flap covers in a single step. In addition to doubling our production capabilities, this machine will give our operators optimal control over the positioning of the flaps.
Introduction of our new logo, better reflecting the current work of our company. It replaces our previous logo created in 1990. We also registered the English version of our name, “Multi Bookbinding,” to aid in developing our business in the Maritimes and Ontario.
Author Bryan Perro visited our plant to see the production of his book, Créatures fantastiques du Québec.
Implementation of an ERP system. Our new Beisik system integrates all aspects of our workflow: orders, dockets, purchase orders, estimating, and scheduling.
Fondaction CSN has invested $1.5 million in Multi-Reliure. This investment strengthens significant private financing aimed at renewing the shareholder base following the buyout of the founder, Mrs. Suzanne Ferron’s succession. The new leadership group is headed by Yvon Sauvageau, who will also serve as the CEO, alongside two long-standing employees of the company: Patrick Pâquet, Mrs. Ferron’s son and the new VP of Operations, and Louis Baribeau, who will take on the role of VP Sales. The investor group, consisting of Jocelyn Tessier, Brian Illick, and Robert Goulet, will serve as the company’s board of directors.
Passing of Suzanne Ferron, founder of Multi-Bookbinding. She leaves behind her husband Pierre Pâquet, her son Patrick, and her two daughters Sonia and Solanie.
After several visits to Europe, Multi-Reliure has decided to invest in a brand new Kolbus perfect binder! A KM 473 equipped with an AS-841 gatherer with 19 units, an HD 152 three-knife trimmer, and a PUR gluing unit. This new production line, capable of reaching a speed of 8,000 books per hour, enhances our production capacity to meet the growing demand. The four operators were trained by Kolbus in Rahden, Germany.
Acquisition of a Nordson PUR spine gluing system on our KM 470 perfectbinder. PUR glue is a big help for printers who need to produce a job to bind against the grain in order to maximize sheet space.
A third expansion of our production floor. This new 18,000 sq. ft. space has become necessary to allow for the addition of a second perfect binder, as well as three additional loading docks and an employee room. Located at the rear of the main building, this new area is built on stilts due to the slope towards the St. Maurice River. The new building code required a fireproof insulation to separate this expansion from the rest of the factory. Until the arrival of the perfect binder, we are taking advantage of the space to set up an inserter and additional space for work-in-progress and assembly.
Addition of a third production unit on the Müller Martini Inventa Plus. This machine can achieve speeds of 200 sections per minute, and its optical detection system eliminates the risk of flipped or missing sections.
Acquisition of our new laminating machine, the GBC 8332 Genesis. We can now offer this as an in-house service, without having to sending jobs outside to laminators in Quebec City or Montreal.
Major investment to complete the automation of our casebinding line – the addition of two Kolbus machines to our current fleet of equipment, the BF 527 Book Production Line and the Chronos Casemaker. This positions Multi-Bookbinding as the most important independent casebinder in Canada.
A second expansion of 12,500 square feet is necessary to accommodate a BF 526 casing-in machine, as well as to provide space for a laminating machine and a Smyth sewing line. Additional space for storing pallets of work in progress becomes crucial to support the continuous increase in print runs and the diversity of productions of softcover and hardcover books.
Multi Bookbinding completed its first expansion of 12,500 square feet to accommodate the first KM 470 Kolbus perfect binding line, equipped with all options for hardcover book binding. Initially planned for 1997, this expansion was delayed due to the unexpected discovery of an unidentified underground water pipe during the construction permit application process with the City of Shawinigan. Originally, this space was intended to be leased to Publicité Pâquet, a company specializing in the printing of yearbooks, led by Pierre Pâquet, husband of Suzanne Ferron. However, the project was abandoned following the sale of the print shop in 1998.
This expansion also marks a period of strengthened collaboration with Denis Audet, Operations Director at Imprimerie Gagné in Louiseville, located 50 km from Shawinigan. The closure of Harpell Printing in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, which specialized in hardcover book binding, altered the market landscape and prompted Multi Bookbinding to further automate its production processes. As a result, the company hired two experienced operators from Harpell to strengthen its team.
August 1996: Multi Bookbinding relocates to a new 16,000 square foot facility at 2112 Transmission Avenue. This relocation was proposed by the City of Shawinigan, following the imminent demolition of the municipal garage. The new premises is the former Welfare Building of Shawinigan Chemicals Ltd. View the industrial history of the Welfare Building (PDF).
The beginning of our business, located below the Shawinigan Municipal Garage, rue de la Fonderie.
