New large-format ten-unit six-color with UV and double coaters addresses additional capacity and fast growth

KBA North America is pleased to announce that Meredith-Webb Printing Company, a Burlington, NC printer has signed a contract at PRINT 13 for the purchase of a newly-launched KBA Rapida 164 64-inch six-color 10-unit press with double coaters, UV capabilities, and the new KBA ErgoTronic console. The new press, its third from KBA in three years, will be delivered to Meredith-Webb’s facility in January 2014. PRINT 13 is the largest and most innovative global exhibition of digital, offset and hybrid technologies in 2013. It took place September 8-12, 2013 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

“We have formed a strong partnership with KBA over the last several years,” says Kelly Webb, executive vice president at Meredith-Webb. “This newly-launched large format press from KBA will provide us with an unprecedented level of speed and turnaround. In an on-demand world where digital and inkjet capabilities drive shorter and shorter turnarounds, this new press, coupled with two additional 64” presses, will provide additional capacity and backup. Plus, the new KBA Rapida 164 with its double coating embellishments and special UV capabilities will allow us to grow our specialty business printing and give our customers much more flexibility. KBA continues to introduce new press models with superb features that increase production, quality and provide the flexibility to meet customer demands.”

The new KBA Rapida 164 will join the Rapida162a 64-inch seven-color press with coater and UV capabilities that was delivered to Meredith-Webb the first quarter of 2013 and its KBA Rapida 106 41-inch 10-unit UV press, which was installed in 2010.

“Ever since we installed our first KBA press, we have experienced steady growth by adding new clients and providing new services to our existing clientele,” says Kelly Webb. “During the last few years, we’ve seen our customer base broaden significantly.  Speed to market is critical to our customer base.  Our Rapida presses have made a positive impact on our ability to meet our customer’s demanding delivery requirements.  The speed and quality set us apart from the competition.  We offer the complete package: a knowledgeable sales force, creative CAD design, dedicated customer service, quality control department that oversees the entire process, and a logistical team experienced in meeting the requirements of a test market to a national rollout.”

“The move to KBA in 2010 has been a huge success”, says Travers Webb, president.  “Our print products demand high levels of innovation and print quality. These KBA presses are an integral part in responding to those demands. Having the new Rapida 164 with double coaters and UV capabilities will allow us to take our customers to a new higher dimension in large format printing with special applications and treatments. KBA has provided excellent service and support as we move forward with the vision started in 1952 by our founder, George T. Webb, Jr.”

The new KBA Rapida 164 press, introduced in February 2013, redefines the benchmarks in the 47.4 x 64.57-inch format class. It reaches maximum production speed up to 15,000 sph with KBA's high-speed upgrade. Equipped with dedicated drive technology and a high level of automation, the Rapida 164 features DriveTronic SIS sidelay-free infeed, the KBA QualiTronic Professional inline color control, and the new ErgoTronic console with integrated measuring systems. Along with automatic plate changing, there is also the option of DriveTronic SPC dedicated drives at the plate cylinders that support simultaneous plate changes in all printing units in only 100 seconds. Additional makeready processes, such as washing with CleanTronic Synchro, are also simultaneously possible. Similar to medium-format presses, when changing plates KBA Plate-Ident features on-press plate recognition, pre-registration and checks that the plates are correctly positioned. Even coating forms can be changed automatically while the press is printing, as can anilox roller sleeves. The high-flow doctor-blade chamber with a reduced filling volume is also a new feature. The increased speed at which the ink flows supports faster production speeds and optimized sheet brakes for commercial and packaging printing ensure an outstanding pile formation. Additional new features found in the Rapida 164 include the AirTronic delivery, and the energy-saving VariDryBlue drying systems.

The 95-employee firm has proudly earned the chain-of-custody certifications endorsed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC) as part of the company’s commitment to achieve its environmental initiatives.  Meredith-Webb also earned the G7 Master qualification, the “seal of approval” from the IDEAlliance as a G7 Master Printer, which proves that the firm possesses the technology and tools to consistently deliver the highest quality printing in the world, based on the most stringent international standards.

KBA North America is located in Dallas, Texas and a member of the KBA Group. Established almost 200 years ago in Wuerzburg, Germany, Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) is the oldest and second largest press manufacturer worldwide. KBA's banner, 'People & Print', reflects its dual focus as a leading innovator for print entrepreneurs. The group's product range is the broadest in the industry; its portfolio includes commercial and newspaper web presses, sheetfed offset presses in all format classes, inkjet systems and presses, special presses for banknotes, securities, metal-decorating, smart cards, glass and plastic decorating, and flexible substrate systems. For more information visit the company's web site at www.kba.com.