At the beginning of March Percival Print & Packaging in Perth fired up the first KBA Rapida 106 double-coater press in Australia. The high-automation six-colour 106 replaces two litho presses from another German manufacturer and allows Percival to apply top-quality matt, gloss and spot coatings inline for the first time.

Automation modules include DriveTronic SIS no-sidelay infeed, coating plate change and CIPLink software. The washing system for the blanket cylinder, impression cylinder and rollers has a return function to reduce cloth consumption. The two coaters are linked to two pumping and cleaning devices (one for aqueous and one for UV). The press package also includes KBA DensiTronic online colour measurement and control.

Key factor in safeguarding future success
For Percival managing director David LeRoy and his partner and co-proprietor Rod Jenkins, the 18,000cph high-performance press is a key factor in safeguarding the company's future. LeRoy says: "Delivery, installation and commissioning were completed well on schedule. We have been delighted with the execution of the entire project and have no regrets in switching to KBA. Apart from their technological competence and the capabilities offered by the Rapida 106, what won our vote was the rapid ROI and the after-sales service provided. Prior to placing the order we were able to inspect a similar press in Paris and realised immediately that the KBA Rapida 106, with its prodigious output, would be a major advance for us. KBA has delivered a press with everything we could possibly need for quality- and service-driven production, and we'll soon be expanding to triple-shift operation. The support and training provided by KBA have been exemplary and we have established a good customer-provider relationship."

Inline coating on the advance
According to David LeRoy, inline coating was a key criterion alongside a high output and fast makeready: "Print runs average 4,000 copies, so versatility and precise quality control take precedence over speed. We use substrates weighing between 80 and 400gsm. Previously we could only apply two coats offline, but with the Rapida 106 we can apply a whole range of coatings inline, so there are virtually no limits to the designs we can now handle."

Among its customers Percival Print & Packaging has built up a reputation for first-class quality and service. "We are targeting even higher quality standards in the future while optimising value added," says LeRoy. "The Rapida's double coating capability is already in frequent use, and rising. We are confident that inline coating is on the advance in Australia and will prove a big success for us. With the 106 a growth rate of 7.5 to 10 per cent would be realistic for the first year."

Supplier of the Year
Percival Print & Packaging was established in 1972 by George Percival with a visionary approach to servicing the future needs of the business community in Perth by offering commercial products and packaging with a strong visual appeal. The company's commitment to quality and service soon enabled it to carve out a sizeable share of the market. Today the 22-employee firm specialises in soft folding cartons, commercial print, posters and trade finishing work. Percival's exclusive customer base, which extends far beyond Australia, includes corporates within the pharmaceutical, food services, promotional and retail industries. It also services the medical communication management industry, creative design studios, educational material suppliers and advertising agencies, often fulfilling intricate, multilingual projects. The company is accredited to ISO 9001 standards and its expertise within the pharmaceutical packaging field has won it Supplier of the Year Awards on two occasions, with a placing among the finalists in other years.