Following an intensive selection process Beijing Daily Group, a traditional publishing house in the heart of Beijing with a large printing centre on the edge of the Chinese capital, decided to continue its partnership with Koenig & Bauer (KBA). A KBA Comet installed there in 2010 will be extended by two printing towers and two folders in the first half of 2016. The delivery package also includes adjusting the production capabilities of the existing Comet and a new mailroom system for the entire plant. This recent investment boosts the media group’s production flexibility and efficiency with in-house and third-party products while at the same time lightening the workload of an older press from another manufacturer. 

Cui Tang Lian, printing house director of Beijing Daily Group: “The effects of the media shift are clearly noticeable even in China. We continue to rely on the printed newspaper in a high quality, nevertheless we have to set up our printing house in such a way as to enable us to produce frequently changing print products in terms of scope and design quickly, flexibly and efficiently. Short makeready times, high production speeds, low waste levels and a reliable service partnership on-site were the decisive factors for the necessary expansion project. We are continuing the successful collaboration with KBA given the Comet’s good performance and first-class service support received. We will be well prepared for the future with our five-tower press line equipped with three folders.”

Leading media house in China

Along with a raft of magazines, Beijing Daily Group also publishes numerous daily newspapers. The newspaper titles have a combined daily circulation of almost two million copies in the Beijing metropolitan area. Besides the Beijing Morning Post, Beijing Suburbs Daily, Beijing Business Today and Beijing Social News, the media group also owns highly traditional and popular titles, such as the Beijing Evening News and the Beijing Daily, established in 1958 and 1952 respectively. Alongside activities in the print arena, the traditional printing house continues to expand its involvement in electronic media.

KBA Comet convinces with quality and productivity

The Comet press line handles web widths from 635 to 880mm (25 - 34.65in), has a cylinder circumference of 1,092mm (43in) and a maximum rated output in straight production of 78,000cph. The press will comprise five printing towers and three KF 3 jaw folders after the extension is complete. The KBA consoles feature ink-key presetting software and a RIP interface.