The first press of the Speedmaster CX 102 series, introduced by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) as a world premiere on the occasion of IPEX in Birmingham, has been sold to German commercial printshop Kern GmbH, located in Bexbach, Saarland. The new machine is designed for industrial offset printing and joins the ranks between the Speedmaster SM 102 / CD 102 and the Speedmaster XL 105. André Kern, Managing Director of Kern GmbH, outlines the company's philosophy: "We have always been fascinated by innovations. With the Speedmaster CX 102 we have been provided with the XL 105 peak performance technologies plus a considerably increased productivity, which however allows us to stick to the familiar and proven format."

Convincing versatility
In the forefront of the investment, André Kern and his team also had evaluated medium-format presses of different manufacturers. "Asian suppliers in particular are currently offering rock-bottom prices that are very tempting at first glance," says Kern. "However, our job portfolio and three-shift operation require a press, which delivers excellent productivity, consistent print quality and high availability from start to finish. In addition, we print on an extremely wide range of substrates, running the gamut from 50 gsm flimsy paper to board weighing over 300 gsm. We are certain that the Speedmaster CX 102 is the best solution for our diversity of requirements. The smooth running of the press and its ergonomic operation are convincing. Ever since we made the decision to invest in the Speedmaster CX 102, everyone is excitedly anticipating the world's first in its kind. As a long-term customer, we know that we can always rely on the well-proven quality and performance  in regard to Heidelberg innovations."

Lean processes and highly productive equipment as key to success
This state-of-the-art print shop runs a highly automated operation, and its central production processes are fully integrated via the Prinect Workflow. The new Speedmaster CX 102 five-color press with coating unit continues the tradition of the 70 × 100 cm format. To date, two Speedmaster SM 102 units were in operation - one six-color and one eight-color press. The six-color press has now been replaced by the new Speedmaster CX 102.

On a production area of some 2,200 square meters, a team of 35 works for manufacturers of branded goods, cosmetic suppliers, insurance companies, and consumer goods producers. The company produces items such as brochures, catalogs, and other marketing materials using offset and digital printing. Kern GmbH also uses its in-house mailing center to provide a wide variety of logistics services for direct marketing customers. The Kern GmbH is a family-run company in the fourth generation, managed by Juergen, Joachim, and André Kern. The Bexbach-based printshophas a subsidiary in Sarreguimines, France.