Leading magazine printer, Ferdinand Berger & Söhne Ges.m.b.H., is to install a Goss M-600 press at its new printing facility in Horn, Austria. The bestselling 16-page press was chosen following an in-depth review of competitive systems.

The new Goss M-600 press for Berger will print up to 65,000 impressions per hour. It has been specified with a 625 mm cut-off and a single-chopper JF-65 SQF folder. Each unit will also be equipped with Goss Autoplate fully automatic plate changing. As the first such technology to market, in 1995, the Autoplate system is proven on 1,800 Goss printing units in operation worldwide. The proven reliability of the Autoplate technology, along with a first-hand demonstration of the productivity and efficiency advantages on a similarly equipped M-600 press at another printing facility, were mentioned as crucial elements in the purchase decision, according to executives at Berger.

Ferdinand Berger, general manager and shareholder comments, "We have two M-600 presses operating at our existing facility in Horn, so we are familiar with the excellent print quality. We specified the new press with the JF­65 folder and Autoplate technology because we were looking for the latest advancements in productivity and automation. After seeing all features of the M-600 press demonstrated comprehensively, our decision was confirmed. The press ran at maximum speed with an excellent makeready time."

In addition to the high-quality magazine production for which the company is renowned, Berger has a diverse product portfolio, from premium quality books, brochures, and catalogs to leaflets and direct mail products.

"We're aiming to combine productivity, customer requirements, service and flexibility at our facility in Horn and equip it with the best technology to meet market requirements," Berger continues, "We selected the M­600 press because it's proven to be highly productive and executes quick job changeovers with little makeready waste. With ever growing demand from our customers for numerous version changes and short runs, the press suits our requirements perfectly and it has a perfect price to performance ratio."

Jean-Claude Pautrat, product management director at Goss International, adds, "The new Goss JF-65 SQF folder is ideal for a company like Berger with a high number of different jobs running on the press that all demand excellent print quality. With just one chopper to adjust, the folder is extremely consistent and accurate from the first copy to the last. Eliminating the necessity for two choppers additionally means less setting, easier access and less maintenance, maximizing the functionality of the M-600 press."    

The first production on the new M-600 press is expected in April 2009. The short lead time between the order and getting the press on-production offers another test for both Berger and Goss International. "The timing is a challenge, but one we're happy to take on. After working with Goss International on previous projects I'm confident of their ability to deliver," Berger concludes.