Kennesaw, GA – Modern Litho (Jefferson City, MO) recently installed a new Speedmaster XL 106-5-LYY-P+5+L from Heidelberg. The new 10-color press, equipped with the latest drupa innovation technology, will allow the company to coat both sides of a job in a single pass — resulting in improved productivity and reduced manufacturing costs. 

Double Coater

 “With this press, we’ll be able to add 60% more capacity to our plant,” said Darrell Moore, President. “For our business to grow, we knew it was time to invest. This machine not only allows us to improve throughput, and get our product to the bindery faster, but will also reduce makeready times and waste — all while remaining competitive with our pricing.”

The XL 106 LPL (Print, Coat, Perfect, Print, Coat) configuration takes full printed sheets with aqueous coating (on both sides) straight from the delivery to the bindery — improving processing times at a lower cost compared to UV presses. To save steps in production, the press (which is over 100 feet in length) is loaded with impressive automation including Autoplate Pro, which changes plates in 2.5 minutes, and Prinect Inpress Control, which manages color and registration within the first 60 sheets. 

Cost Counts

The new press runs alongside two existing XL 105 presses (a 5-color with coater and an 8-color perfector), a Speedmaster SM 52 and a range of Stahlfolder and POLAR postpress solutions. Prior to settling on the LPL configuration, the commercial printer carefully researched both used and new Speedmaster presses to fill its dwindling capacity.

 “We initially landed on a used press that fit our requirements at a cheaper price,” said Moore. “However, after analyzing the capabilities of this machine, our customers’ demands, and the tax benefits of the investment, we realized that the cost of the new press would be more than offset by the benefits we will gain from this technology.”

Raising the Bar

Modern Litho purchased its first new Heidelberg press (SM 52) in 2006. A year later, the company installed its first XL 105-5+L, then a Speedmaster XL 105-8P in 2012, which replaced three older presses. Since its installation, the XL 105-8P has reached over 190 million impressions. As a long-time partner of Heidelberg, the company also uses Saphira consumables for enhanced performance.

According to Moore, this acquisition is a continuation of its strategic growth plan, and an extension of its lasting partnership with Heidelberg. “This is our fourth press investment in 10 years, and we are extremely satisfied with the quality of our Heidelberg presses,” said Moore. “Heidelberg has always supported us in attaining the best results, and finding the right technology to achieve our business goals.”

For eight decades, both local and national member organizations and companies seeking excellence in commercial and digital print have trusted Modern Litho for their communication and marketing needs. Modern Litho takes pride in investing in state-of-the-art capabilities, equipment, and systems to increase efficiency, accelerate delivery times and print with superior quality.