Kennesaw, Ga. - NPG Printing Co., St. Joseph, Mo. recently replaced an aging, competitive 6-color press with a Heidelberg Speedmaster CD 74 5-color perfector with aqueous coater and extended delivery. Since the installation was completed in mid-July, the company has had an opportunity to marvel at the many automated features of the new press, including the continuous feed and delivery, ink key presetting via Prinect Prepress Interface, Axis Control color measuring system, and automatic blanket washers, as well as to benefit from its larger sheet size (the new press joins a 4-olor, 20” Speedmaster SM 52 on NPG’s shop floor), higher run speeds, faster changeovers, and dramatically reduced startup waste. Likewise, NPG’s newfound one-pass perfecting capabilities and associated cost benefits also have been a major factor in increasing the company’s efficiency and productivity.
 
“We chose Heidelberg based on a combination of its superior service and support, comprehensive Systemservice 36Plus coverage, and the outstanding capabilities of the press itself,” McCarthy said, noting the fast response time and ready availability of Heidelberg technical personnel.
 
Best of all, said production director John McCarthy, the addition of this workhorse press will enable NPG to sharpen its competitive edge to become a true one-stop shop for its customers, who will enjoy access to the company’s in-house design, printing, finishing and mailing capabilities. “We’ll be able to provide it all,” McCarthy said. The company is so confident that it stands to attract additional business that it plans to hire another full-time salesperson.
 
The company plans to “introduce” the new press to the regional market with a November ribbon-cutting, in addition to spreading the word via direct mail, bill stuffers for the region’s PIA affiliates and area Chambers of Commerce, and by showing customers and prospects a variety of printed samples.
 
In addition to its sheetfed offset capabilities, NPG also operates an offset web press, on which it prints a variety of newspapers and specialty publications. The company employs a total of 80 employees across both operations.