CJK Group Invests in Two Komori G40 Perfectors for Growing Content Production Facilities

CJK Group, a technology-based parent company to numerous independently managed communications and print manufacturing plants nationwide, has purchased two eight-color Komori Lithrone G40 perfecting presses (GL840P) for installation at two of its printing plants: Sheridan KY in Versailles, Ky. and Hess Print Solutions in Brimfield, Ohio.
 
CJK Group has been successful in redefining the entire book supply chain to overcome the challenges book and content publishers have experienced in this market. The company believes strongly that advances in print technology that allow for increased customization, shorter runs, and faster turnaround will spur dramatic growth in this sector by giving today’s publishers, educators, catalogers, and information providers the option to partner with exceptionally creative print providers that can produce their work. With this focus as its driving force, CJK Group has grown quickly over the last decade through numerous acquisitions to build what is now a multifaceted organization with extensive offset, digital, and fulfillment production capabilities.

CJK Group acquired the Sheridan KY operation from Quad/Graphics in July 2020. The one million-square-foot facility is one of the largest book manufacturing plants in the country and specializes in hardcover books, softcover books and other publication types. Its new GL840P was chosen for its ability to increase capacity for printing the high-quality content the company produces.

Hess Print Solutions became part of CJK Group in 2013 and currently has approximately 250 employees working on a 24/7 production schedule printing book covers, inserts, cards, and commercial work. The GL840P replaces a 20-year-old six-color offset press that had been unable to keep up with current production demands. After researching all press manufacturers for more than a year, Komori’s GL840P was chosen because it was the one press that met all the company’s production requirements.

“As CJK Group expands its footprint in the publishing market, we know updating our arsenal of offset presses is a priority,” says Chris Kurtzman, president of CJK Group. “Our focus on our recent two press purchases was to find a partner who manufactured a press that could deliver a streamlined production workflow in addition to providing reliability and ease of use. We also wanted an organization that had a reputation for standing behind its product. We found that partner in Komori.”
 
With both installations now recently concluded, Sheridan KY and Hess Print Solutions are looking forward to taking advantage of the GL840P’s advanced technology that offers four over four perfecting, LED curing, and high run speeds, which will make it possible to meet or exceed customers’ quick delivery requirements.
 
“CJK Group has built a powerful portfolio of companies that has made it one of the most competitive and productive print organizations in our industry,” says Mark Milbourn, executive VP, sales and service, Komori America. “CJK Group is definitely a company to watch and we are excited to play a role in its bright future and welcome them to the Komori family. We look forward to the incredible difference these presses will make in the companies’ productivity and profitability.”