Second Generation Family-Owned Printer Invests In Their Future

Norfolk, VA – Preferred Direct, industry-leading print, direct mail, and digital communications partner, is proud to announce the successful installation of a new Hunkeler-Horizon roll-to-fold converting machine and a new performance upgrade to their HP 250 Digital Press. These strategic investments will further increase the quality, efficiency, and lead times of the company’s printing, finishing, and mailing services nationwide.

Purchased from Standard Finishing Systems, the addition of the Hunkeler Roll to Cut to Horizon AFV-566/T564 Folder System marks a pivotal step for Preferred Direct's production capabilities. This advanced technology streamlines the process of converting large rolls of paper into neatly folded, ready-to-mail products. The new roll-to-fold machine allows Preferred Direct to bypass 3 manual processes and has automated the sheet, cut and fold processes in their finishing production. The machine's precision and speed will provide a seamless transition from printing to finishing processes, reducing turnaround times, and increasing overall efficiency.

Furthermore, Preferred Direct has invested in a performance upgrade for their existing HP 250 Digital Press. The upgrade now allows the company to achieve an impressive speed of 800 feet per minute (fpm) for monochrome print and mail jobs. This upgrade will accelerate production, previously at 500 fpm, while maintaining exceptional print quality for Preferred Direct’s transactional and informational print clients.

Bill Nee, CEO of Preferred Direct, and Kristen Hollar, VP of Business Development, were the key facilitators of the sale.

"We are thrilled to add these new technologies to our equipment line up," said Bill Nee, CEO at Preferred Direct. "These investments reflect our commitment to remaining a local family-owned printer with BIG print and finishing capabilities. As a technology-forward company, we are always looking for innovative solutions to automate and streamline our processes and empower our employees. Our focus will always be our clients and our employees, and these new technologies will enable us to serve them both more efficiently and effectively, without compromising quality.”

To learn more about Preferred Direct, visit www.preferreddirect.com. 

To discover the Hunkeler-Horizon roll-to-fold system from Standard Finishing Systems, visit https://www.sdmc.com/product_stand/roll-to-fold-gen8/. 

To discover the HP 250 Digital Press solution, visit https://www.hp.com/us-en/commercial-industrial-printing/pagewide/t250-hd-web-presses.html.