Oct 2, 2006 -- Stevens Graphics Inc., the third-largest printer of telephone directories in the USA, is expanding its press fleet with a double-circumference KBA Compacta 818 planned for its Birmingham, Alabama facility. Established in 1880 by H.G. Hastings in Atlanta, Georgia, Stevens Graphics, Inc. is now a fully owned affiliate of BellSouth Corporation. Between its two production plants, the 580 member team produces more than 56 million directories per year (570-plus titles) including Yellow Pages, companion and midi directories, in-line die-cut and folded tabs, and specialty catalogues. Stevens Graphics, Inc. attributes its success to close customer proximity, an outstanding service oriented team, and superb print quality while being environmentally conscious. At present, production is handled by two KBA Commander (tower) coldset presses (two webs through 16 couples or three webs through 24 couples), three KBA Commander (CIC) coldset presses, one heatset web press and one sheetfed press. The new twin-web Compacta 818 has a cylinder circumference of 1,156mm (45½in), a maximum web width of 1,905mm (75in) and a web speed of over 15mps (2,953fpm). The press will be configured with Patras A automatic reel handling, two Pastomat RC reelstands, two infeed units, four printing units (which will feature semi-automatic plate changing), a superstructure for four ribbons and a P5-T directory folder. A colour measurement and control system will guarantee a uniform print quality in 2/2 with two webs or 4/4 with one web. Production start-up is scheduled for April 2007.