Freedom Graphic Systems increases capacity and efficiency with installation of 15 BBH™ 400 inserters

Milton, Wis., Dec. 14, 2006 – Freedom Graphic Systems, Inc., a direct mail printer supplying printed/imaged products and complete lettershop operations to the direct mail market, has installed 15 BBH™ 400 inserters in its facilities in Aurora, Ill., Ontario, Calif., and Dallas. The heavy-duty BBH 400 inserters from BÖWE BELL + HOWELL can process even the most complex direct mail and lettershop products efficiently and effectively at speeds up to 20,000 cycles per hour.

Freedom Graphic Systems was formed in 1986 and maintains its corporate offices in Milton, Wis. Through a series of acquisitions starting in the 1990s and continuing through 2005, the company acquired operations in Illinois, California and Texas. Freedom now offers a full complement of services, including data processing, printing, inkjet/laser imaging, in-line/off-line finishing and full-service lettershop capabilities.

According to Bill Sloyan, vice president of special projects, Freedom bought the mail inserters to increase capacity and efficiencies. “We were looking for equipment with a good productivity-to-labor ratio and ease of operation,” said Sloyan. “The whole plan was to help meet the ever-increasing turnaround times of our current and future customers. We worked closely with our BÖWE BELL + HOWELL account executive, Jack Hester, on the evaluation and installation of this high-speed solution.”

With the new inserters now in place – 10 in Illinois, three in California and two in Texas – Sloyan reports that productivity has improved while labor costs are being reduced. Freedom realized initial savings of approximately 35 percent in labor savings, with an ultimate goal of 75 percent to 80 percent savings.

The new BBH 400 inserters replaced old equipment, providing the capacity of three of Freedom’s old inserters while occupying the square-footage equivalent of two of their old machines.

Designed for 24/7 operation, the BBH 400 inserters can easily handle a wide range of products, such as light buck slips, inserts, booklets, brochures, plastic cards and pre-folded letters with attached cards.

A variety of feeder options are available, from the standard double-gripper rotary feeder to shuttle feeders, friction feeders, pick and place feeders and card feeders. The inserter’s unique and proven “flap up” inserting design allows for high production speeds and unsurpassed net throughput.

The modular design of the BBH 400 allows for customization and expansion as needed, ensuring that the system can grow along with a company’s needs.

“I believe our growing relationship with BÖWE BELL + HOWELL and the quality of products they provide will allow us to service the growing needs of our customers,” added Sloyan.

For more information on Freedom Graphic Systems, visit www.fgs.com or call 1-800-334-3540. For more information on BÖWE BELL + HOWELL’s BBH 400 inserters, contact Bob Knott at Bob.Knott@bowebellhowell.com or 631-363-7462.

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About BÖWE BELL + HOWELL
Headquartered in Wheeling, Ill., BÖWE BELL + HOWELL, a company with more than 70 years of industry experience, is a leading provider of high-performance document management solutions and services. The company’s portfolio of cutting, packaging, inserting, plastic card, sorting, integrity, print-on-demand and software solutions is the most comprehensive product offering for paper-based and digital mail communications. These solutions are supported by one of the largest dedicated service organizations in the industry. For further information on BÖWE BELL + HOWELL, please visit www.bowebellhowell.com.

About Freedom Graphic Systems
Freedom Graphic Systems is a direct mail printer with extensive personalization, in-line finishing, collating, lettershop and commingling capabilities. The company has locations in Milton, Wis., Aurora, Ill., and Dallas. As a solutions-based “CAN DO” company, Freedom has extensive experience in developing formats and meeting clients’ direct marketing requirements. For further information, contact Richard Greene at 1-800-334-3540.

© 2006 Böwe Bell + Howell Company. All rights reserved. BÖWE BELL + HOWELL and the Böwe Bell + Howell Company logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of BBH, Inc. BBH is a trademark of Böwe Bell + Howell Company. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners. Specifications are subject to change without notice. Actual performance results may vary depending on mailing characteristics, document and workplace conditions, and hardware configurations.