Our search began in the second-hand market, and we approached various dealers around the world. With such a specific requirement – a splitting saw integral to our workflow – it quickly became clear, though, that this wouldn’t be a straightforward find. Luckily for us, the Drupa 24 show marked a great and perfectly timed opportunity for searching, so we headed to Düsseldorf to see first-hand what the global market had to offer.
From China to India, Switzerland to Germany, we evaluated machines from all corners of the world. Among these, a second-hand Alegro binder with a splitting saw had caught our eye, and we arranged a viewing. Despite its potential, this particular machine’s age was a compromise too far, and it was clearly time to turn our attention to brand new equipment, since the cost savings from buying used equipment no longer justified the limitations. After all, more than just performance alone, we always look for technologies that also deliver efficiency, future proofing and total reliability. Our hard-earned reputation relies on it.
We reviewed several options at Drupa but one name consistently stood out: Müller Martini. As an existing Müller user, we knew from experience that this brand’s products always meet our high expectations. On this occasion as previously, Müller understood our needs, and, more importantly, were more than able to meet them. Automation had become a key theme in our decision, since rising costs and a noticeable drop in the quality of agency personnel meant we needed a line that could achieve more, but with fewer people.
At this point, SOLEMA entered the picture, and suddenly everything changed. While many vendors displayed end-of-line robotics, SOLEMA’s solution achieved a whole new level of technological suitability. Their proposal was perfect: a seamless, fully-automated system that packed directly into boxes and palletized without human intervention. It wasn’t just innovation; it was a game-changer.
Our journey then took us to Zofingen, Switzerland, where we were welcomed at the Müller Martini factory and given a deeper look into the Alegro binder. Needless to say, we left suitably impressed and with our trust and confidence well and truly won. The quality, support and vision at Müller all made absolute sense. From here we travelled to Italy and to SOLEMA’s Bergamo factory. There, we experienced first-hand the Pluton palletizer and Magic Box system in action. Together, they formed the perfect pairing with our new Alegro—taking our finishing line to exciting new heights of performance.
What’s really interesting about this small but important chapter in our continual evolution is that what began as a mission to replace an aging binder has become something much greater: a reinvestment in our future, a commitment to excellence, and a bold step forward in automation and innovation. With technologies from Müller Martini and SOLEMA combined, MBM isn’t just keeping pace – it’s setting it.
