Fall delivery and installation of large format press at East Longmeadow, MA facility sharpens quality and turnaround and increases manufacturing flexibility

• New feature-rich Rapida offset press will be installed at year’s end
• Cartamundi is known for its quality, creativity, and innovation
• Massachusetts plant is the largest games manufacturing facility in North America

The massive East Longmeadow, MA manufacturing facility of Cartamundi USA will be taking delivery of a new large format Koenig & Bauer Rapida press. The new press will be a key component as the facility, which produces 30 million well-known board games a year and is aggressively pursuing additional new business by growing its customer base in the main game aisle, such as new lines of products from other game distributors, as well as seeking local companies to take advantage of its core competencies. This critical investment with its key press-manufacturing partner will provide a number of enhancements at this 1.2 million sq ft facility.

Known for producing popular board games under contract for a leading toy and board game firm, this sprawling facility and its pressroom are required to produce game boxes that are color consistent throughout long and short runs and printed with the highest quality to attract purchasers and collectible owners on crowded store shelves.

Specialty items, such as movie versions of all types of games, as well as well-established games require the highest degree of color management. Cartamundi has added Koenig & Bauer’s QualiTronic ColorControl for inline color control with touchscreen on its new large format press. This system measures every sheet for constant print quality over the whole length of a run. The inline color control also provides detailed reporting and measurement documentation to pinpoint the accuracy of each sheet as it is printed---critically important for game boxes that need consistent color across store shelves.

The Cartamundi pressroom is also driven by fast makeready and quick turnaround in order to efficiently produce the large volumes of work now and in the future. Management’s two immediate goals are to generate new business from existing clients and add new customers to its portfolio. In order to be competitive, the firm is taking advantage of Koenig & Bauer’s innovative technology and incorporating its DriveTronic SIS sidelay-free infeed, and fully automated plate changing system on the incoming Rapida press. This system will boost production, making it even more efficient and profitable, as well as furthering faster turnaround, and increasing output. Ultrafast makeready will be enjoyed due to simultaneous plate changing.

Having the latest automation on its new Koenig & Bauer press is key for Cartamundi because it receives unlimited creative challenges from its customers for specialty anniversary editions, collector’s items, vintage board and traditional games. The Caramundi Group continues to invest in the facility ever since it purchased the factory in 2015 to expand its production of card and board games around the world. It has increased staffing by 13.5% to 480 employees.

The new Koenig & Bauer Rapida press upcoming installation follows other recent steps taken at the facility, such as bolstering crucial positions in customer-facing areas as account representatives and project managers. The new press and these positions are creating a sharper focus on customer service and quality.