Premier Midwest printer replaces three presses with one highly-automated model

KBA North America announces that BOPI, one of the Midwest’s most respected providers of print, mail, and E-commerce solutions located in Bloomington, IL, is highly anticipating the arrival of its new KBA Rapida 106 41-inch eight-color perfector press in August 2014.

“Our company continues to distinguish itself from its competitors by reinvesting in new technology and providing our clients with a full range of services---from both digital and conventional high-quality printing, in-house mailing, fulfillment with online e-commerce solutions, multiple unique bindery capabilities, and a highly-qualified capable staff with years of experience and producing exactly what our clients need,” Tom Mercier,president of BOPI. “While our older presses still print great, it was time to invest in a new machine with much higher productivity while allowing our clients to explore its expanded capabilities.” 

BOPI began its journey 18 months ago in which its management team looked at the capabilities of all of the press manufacturers. They focused on long perfectors combined with low energy curing UV technology.

“We did our due diligence and inspected all three press manufacturers,” says Mercier, “but KBA had it all.  We first saw the Rapida 106 in action at a printer in Des Moines then we went to Germany. What we saw in Germany at the KBA factory was quite impressive.  With KBA, we were able to get the exact press that will not only fit our needs today but well into the future.  KBA has the press speed and quick make-ready all tied together with UV capabilities to make it the best choice. This is the best investment for our company.”

“We applaud BOPI on its investment in this step-change printing and drying technology,” notes Steve Korn, director of national and key accounts for KBA North America. “This capital spend will pay dividends for many years to come by providing Bloomington Offset with a significant competitive edge in the marketplace for the foreseeable future. The 41" KBA press, known industry-wide as the “makeready king” will enable BOPI to provide the highest quality offset printing with ease. Accompanied by a high level set of purpose-chosen KBA technology, this new press will be the heart of the new Bloomington Offset and the 2nd and 3rd generation Merciers will provide the soul.”

 “We are highly anticipating this new press,” says Mercier. “It is going to be a pretty incredible piece of firepower for our facility. The KBA is definitely the press of the future and will enhance our capabilities tremendously.”

Mercier is already ticking off the multitude of benefits that will be derived from the new Rapida 106. For example, the press will provide BOPI with the ability to maintain the same ink densities on both sides of the printed sheet, he says. Its HR-UV feature will immediately cure both sides of the sheet allowing a job to move to its next operation, such as folding or die-cutting. “Presently, we have to wait 24 to 36 hours for the sheets to dry with conventional inks and no coating,” he says. “Having this HR-UV drying feature will benefit our customers by providing us with a significant increase in production efficiency.”

The KBA Rapida 106 being delivered to BOPI will include such unique automated features as the KBA ErgoTronic color control system, KBA QualiTronic (inline color control for 2 sided printing in 1 pass), and KBA LogoTronic management system. “Having these automated features will exponentially increase our services. Our quality level will be incredible. All of our sheets will look the same without operators having to make the call,” says Mercier. “When we print signature work, the KBA inline quality control systems will ensure that all of our pages are consistent.” BOPI’s new press will also include an auto plate changing system. “It’s just astonishing to see the speed of the auto plate changer,” he says.

BOPI’s management team also decided to choose an eight-color perfector press for its speed. Currently, the firm operates six- and four-color process conventional presses, which requires putting jobs through the press in two passes. With KBA’s expert technology, there will no longer be any of the issues common to perfecting, says Mercier. Marking issues are eliminated and drying time is gone, he says.

“I can’t wait for the press to be installed,” says Mercier with emphasis. “Our press operators can’t wait either. Our sales force is eagerly anticipating the new press. It will set us apart from the competition and give us a jump ahead of everyone.” 

Founded in 1947 as Bloomington Offset Process, Inc., the Illinois firm began as a high-quality commercial printer. Since then, BOPI has established itself in the direct marketing field through initiatives in variable data digital printing, personalized direct mail, data services, web based commerce, collateral management and fulfillment. It serves the Midwest market including insurance, manufacturing, college and university, agricultural, hospital, financial, government, and non-profit organizations.