The shift to large-format sheetfed offset in high-growth Asia-Pacific markets continues apace. Following installations in Malaysia (Linocraft, TWP) and Indonesia (APP) KBA large format has now debuted in Thailand with the inauguration of a six-colour 7B (64in) Rapida 162a at Mae Mae Printing in Bangpoo (Samut Prakan Province).

The company is located along with numerous international firms in an industrial zone near the Chao Praya River delta. The press is not only Mae Mae Printing's first large-format Rapida but also its first KBA press, although the company's main production plant, Mae Mae Printing operates a fleet of screen and offset presses.

Programmed for growth

The new 13,000sph press, which features semi-automatic plate changing, dual-purpose washing systems and IR dryers, has substantially enhanced both productivity and the product range. It is controlled from an ErgoTronic Professional console with DensiTronic densitometric colour control and a CipLink interface to pre-press.

Mae Mae Printing was established in 1986, and in addition to two high-tech printing plants near Bangkok also has two plants in China and Taiwan. The ISO 9001 and 14001 accredited enterprise with over 400 employees has made a name for itself by focusing on quick delivery and quality excellence.

Extensive product range

Its range of services and products extends from graphic design to high-volume packaging, hangtags, instruction manuals, self-adhesive, pressure-sensitive and barcode labels for the electronics, home appliances, cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical, sports and many other consumer product industries.

Impressive performance and service

Following the KBA Rapida 162a's punctual production start management at Mae Mae Printing is confident that boosting capacity will enable the company to handle a bigger volume of orders and thus increase its share of the market. “KBA have shipped a lot of medium-format presses to Thailand in recent years, but in large format they are the world market leaders, so we knew we could trust them to deliver something special. With KBA's support and service we are targeting further growth. The high-performance Rapida 162a is exceptionally versatile and will help us achieve our objectives,” says Jones Chang, President of Mae Mae Printing Group.