B&K Offsetdruck from Ottersweier, Germany, ordered a further 16-page commercial web press from KBA-Digital & Web Solutions in Würzburg a few weeks before drupa opens its doors. B&K Offsetdruck signed up for a then brand-new, high-performance Compacta 217 at Drupa 2004, its successor the KBA C16 four years ago and now again for the same press. 

The family enterprise is managed by Jörn Kalbhenn, the second generation of the founding family, and is no high-volume printer. The products produced for its customers are innovative and tailor-made. “We are extremely satisfied with the Compacta 217 and C16 from Koenig & Bauer in terms of reliability and quality. It was therefore a logical step to invest once again in another KBA C16,” says B&K managing director Jörn Kalbhenn. B&K has maintained a healthy growth curve since its foundation almost 50 years ago. Today the company employs over 200 staff who produce more than 5 million 16-page products every day. 

High-quality magazines and covers off the reel

The new KBA C16 with a maximum rated speed of 65,000iph will be used to print upmarket magazines and journals, complete with their covers, to the highest quality standards. The five printing units will have ultra-fast plate changers. Numerous additional automation modules, such as KBA EasyTronic automatic press presetting system and cutting-edge ErgoTronic console technology, serve to increase productivity and minimise makeready and waste. In accordance with the customer’s wishes the C16 will again be fitted with a KBA cutter (sheet cutter). This will reduce investment and production costs, increase output and optimise the production of 4, 8, 12 and 16-page products. The new C16 will be embedded in the presses’ existing KBA LogoTronic Professional system for production management and is expected to be fired up in summer 2017.