In response to the increased purchasing costs for materials,
energy and other resource inputs, the second-largest press
manufacturer in the world, Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA), has
announced a price increase of 2.5% for its sheetfed offset presses
with effect from 15th April 2013.
- With
production speeds up to 20,000 sph, the fastest makeready and the
longest presses in its format class, the KBA Rapida 106 defines the
yardstick for medium-format sheetfed offset on the basis of
extensive automation and the superior DriveTronic
drive concept. (1)
This step is viewed as part of an extensive programme of
measures supporting stronger and sustainable profitability across
all fields of business. Since 2009, the KBA Group has been the only
major press manufacturer returning a positive overall bottom line.
The company has now declared the same goal specifically for the
sheetfed offset segment, after considerable streamlining of the
workforce, comprehensive cost reduction measures and development of
an innovative new press generation.
- KBA has underlined its leading position in
large formats with the new 17,000 sph Rapida 145. It features the
same high level of automation as the Rapida 106 and permits the
fastest job changeovers in this format class (2)
Executive vice-president for sheetfed sales Ralf Sammeck: "With
the Rapida 106 and Rapida 145 which we presented at drupa 2012, we
offer users the most modern and efficient sheetfed offset presses
on the world market for the medium and large formats. The
innovative technology of our highly automated presses, and their
many unique features in terms of automation, fast makeready and
inline processes, bring economic benefits for the user and enhance
the long-term value of an investment, but they naturally also cost
money. The market, however, has recognised this added value. We
were able to record a significant increase in both orders received
and turnover in the sheetfed offset segment in 2012, and have
further reinforced our position as the second-largest manufacturer
in the world. In our opinion, the competition in this market is too
price-driven. Needing to utilise excessive capacities, some
manufacturers in the industry have for a long time concentrated
blindly on securing market shares, regardless of any losses and to
the detriment of their external investors. That hardly makes sense.
The moderate price increase for our sheetfed presses is justified
by their technical features and will contribute to sustainable
improvement of our profitability."
