On the first day of the show executives from Zhengzhou Jinhui Printing in China were among the customers who signed a contract on the KBA stand for a Rapida 105.

Based in the capital of Henan province, the company previously specialised in commercial printing and is planning to use this medium-format press, which has been much in demand among Chinese printers since its premiere at the All in Print Shanghai trade fair in November 2011, to expand into the packaging sector. The five-colour Rapida 105 ordered will be a five-colour coater version with extended delivery, a board-handling capability, automatic plate changers, CIPLink networking with pre-press, nonstop facilities at the infeed and washing systems for the blankets and impression cylinders.

The extensive range of features chosen is unusual in the Chinese market. But general manager Han Han has clear ideas on what he is looking for in terms of efficiency and economy. These have resulted in the adoption of digital workflows and MIS software at his factory. A fast turnaround is one of the company's trademark. Production and delivery within 24 hours are routine.

Zhengzhou Jinhui Printing was established nine years ago. Its existing fleet comprises seven relatively unsophisticated Japanese four-colour presses. Management chose the more robust and automated Rapida 105 because KBA enjoys a high reputation among Chinese packaging printers. The press will commence its journey to the Middle Kingdom in August.