Jean Smatt, president and managing director of Sidema, a packaging printer based in Beirut, Lebanon, signed up at Drupa for a Rapida 105 without having previously set eyes on the press. All he knew about this new Rapida was what he had gleaned from brochures and the internet. But he was so impressed by the demonstrations given on the KBA stand that he placed an order straight away. Smatt will take delivery of a five-colour coater version at the end of October. He will then have presses from all three German vendors in operation.

What most impressed him were the short makereadies and coater automation. The Rapida 105 will enable him to print a consistently high standard of quality and cut energy costs. It will also furnish spare capacity for future growth.

A family business established in the 1960s, Sidema has around 120 employees and prints a broad range of folding cartons. The Rapida 105 will be equipped with an optional board-handling capability and ErgoTronic ACR register-measuring system, and will stand on a 450mm (17.7in) plinth.