KBA's strong position in the Dutch newspaper market has been boosted still further by a contract from prominent Dutch printer Koninklijke BDU in Barneveld for a 6/2 KBA Commander CT. Management at this 240-employee independent media enterprise has reaffirmed its confidence in the future of print by investing in a compact, high-automation press comprising four four-high towers, four reelstands and a KF 5 jaw folder, with the option of later additions. The new Commander CT, which will replace a 1998-vintage KBA Journal, will substantially expand capacity.

Diverse multimedia activities

Founded in 1871, BDU was awarded the honorary title of Koninklijk, or royal, at its 125th company jubilee in 1996. Last year this family enterprise celebrated its 140^th anniversary. The publishing house and printing plant are integrated in Koninklijke BDU Holding. The publishing house's regional titles reach over 650,000 Dutch households. Their focus on local news has gained them a high reputation and engendered reader loyalty. Each title has its own website with all the latest news. BDU has also made a name for itself as a contract printer, with the Barneveld operation handling over 60 products for an ever-increasing number of external publishers. Titles include METRO, Reformatorisches Tageblatt and a supplement, Lux, for the NRC Handelsblad. The printing plant posts annual sales of more than €24m ($30.4m), with over two-thirds generated by contract work.

Highly automated technology enhances production flexibility

The KBA Commander CT press line ordered will have a maximum web width of 1,734mm (68.26in) and an 830mm (32.67in) cylinder circumference for greater flexibility. It will allow short-grain production of the Nordic format. Conventional tabloid products can be run as broadsheets with a classic book structure. The press will have a maximum rated output of 94,000 full-colour 48pp copies in straight production or 47,000 96pp copies collect.

The four KBA Pastomat reelstands will be embedded in a KBA Patras A automated reel-logistics system. The Commander CT's high level of automation and top-quality specs are reflected in its automatic plate changing, roller locks, colour-register controls, ink pumping and washing systems. The two KBA ErgoTronic consoles will be networked with KBA PressNet production scheduling and presetting software and will incorporate waste- and time-saving KBA EasyTronic software.