(November 17, 2008) On 30 October Chinese commercial and book printer Beijing Jiaxindaxin Art Printing placed an order with KBA for three Rapida 105 B1 (4in) presses. The contract for one five-colour and two four-colour versions were signed by company chairman Chen Yaqin and KBA president and CEO Albrecht Bolza-Schünemann Printing in Beijing.

Following on from the delivery of five Rapidas to Beijing Jiazheng Paper-plastic Packing Product, the three 105s, which will join a fleet of presses from other non-Chinese manufacturers, represent a breakthrough for KBA sheetfed technology in the Beijing commercial market. KBA is already a strong player in the packaging and book printing sector. 

According to Bolza-Schünemann, KBA was established almost 200 years ago but only moved into the Chinese market sixteen years ago. Since then it has shipped a large number of sheetfed, commercial web and newspaper presses. To provide its customers with the tools they need to survive the current economic turmoil in global markets KBA is driving technological advances, organising training and information seminars and offering support in obtaining financing.

Beijing Jiaxindaxin Art Printing general manager Fu Baoyun says: "Using KBA equipment will enhance our technological standards. Paper was invented in China, and KBA dates back almost 200 years, so our collaboration has a historical context. Despite the current economic crisis, Beijing Jiaxindaxin Art Printing is investing in new equipment as an affirmation of our confidence in better times ahead for book printers. Magazines, newspapers and books must and will continue to be printed. Children must be educated, so there is an ongoing need for textbooks."