KENNESAW, Ga., July 13, 2005. - Roberts Printing reported a 25 percent increase in productivity and substantial quality improvements resulting from the recent addition of a six-color Heidelberg Speedmaster CD 74 perfecting press to its all-Heidelberg pressroom. Since the installation, the highly automated press has enabled the Clearwater, Fla.-based commercial sheetfed printer to reduce its shift schedule while significantly boosting its pressroom capacity. Equipped with Axis Control and an aqueous coating tower, the new press was added to boost capacity and enable the firm to continue meeting its deadlines as print volumes increase. “We brought in the Speedmaster CD 74 to provide even better service,” says plant manager Howard (“Howie”) Leibowitz. He credits the Speedmaster CD 74’s Axis Control color measuring system with streamlining makeready by improving the color quality of its jobs. The firm also has traded three shifts, seven days a week for a three-shift schedule just five to six days a week due to the highly automated features of the Speedmaster CD 74. Automated makeready and easy-to-control sheet travel make the 20.83x29.13” Speedmaster CD 74 an extremely user-friendly press for a broad range of substrates from ?imsy papers to stiff board and plastic sheets. Printers running multiple shifts have a need for a robust press able to produce long runs at top speed. To help achieve this, the digital Prinect CP2000 Center press control system supports rapid sheet size and stock changes. The Speedmaster CD 74 models also are available in a 23.82x29.13” format, with or without perfecting device. “The new press is much easier to operate,” Leibowitz explains, referring to the ergonomic arrangement of the press controls and the height and angle-adjustable touchscreen display of the Prinect CP2000 console. Although he admits Roberts’ press operators “are still getting used to the CD 74’s higher press speeds” (to 15,000 sheets per hour), Leibowitz notes that the company also is in the process of adjusting its press speeds to enable Roberts to produce the highest-quality printing economically, even at run lengths as low as 1,000 to 3,000 sheets. Roberts Printing has been a Heidelberg customer for 35 years. In addition to the new Speedmaster 74 6-Color CD perfector, the shop boasts a standard Speedmaster 74 6-Color press integrated to the workflow with an On-line Kit, a Heidelberg two-color 40”, and a Heidelberg GTOZ. Roberts’ bindery hosts a pair of Stahlfolders, a Heidelberg die-cutter, and a pair of programmable 45” POLAR 115 paper cutters with Compucut. In the coming months, the company will install Heidelberg’s Prinect Data Control production and information system, which will enable the online connection of its Heidelberg sheetfed presses with the Prinect CP2000 Center. ”We are very anxious for this to happen,” Leibowitz says, explaining that the integration of its production processes will further enhance Roberts’ ability to meet deadlines expeditiously, an important capability that sets Roberts apart from its competitors. Roberts Printing produces a broad range of high-quality short-to-long-run, single-to-six-color work for a loyal customer base. Established as a storefront operation in 1968, the $8 million general commercial sheetfed printer points with pride to two major expansions and 10 percent annual sales growth in each of the past five years.