Sandusky Packaging Creates New Market Opportunities with KBA
(Left to right): Greg Schiefelbein, KBA Regional Sales Manager; Randall Johnson, Sandusky Vice President; and James Longer, Sandusky President, review the upcoming delivery for the new KBA Rapida 106 41-inch seven-color press uniquely configured with System Brunner Instrument Flight—one of the first few presses in the country with this technology—as well as new UV capabilities and a cornucopia of automation.
“We’re dedicated to responding to fast-moving trends in our industry that will propel us ahead of our competition,” says Jim Longer, President of Sandusky Packaging. “These trends—speed, precision, and service—dictate the need to make internal changes to our facility, which include faster set-ups, spot-on color, faster press speeds, more intuitive software to work in tandem with our press operators, and a wide variety of substrates. After careful and extensive research, we concluded that the KBA Rapida 106 was the best choice for our customers and our future success.”
Over the years, Sandusky management has guided the firm through the ever-changing requirements enacted upon its pharmaceutical and food-packaging customers, which make up 50% of its customer base. With an eye toward raising its print quality and color consistency to even higher levels, the firm specified that the new Rapida be equipped with the System Brunner’s Instrument Flight print quality measuring systems with KBA in-line QualiTronic Color Control capability. The appraisal system notifies the press operator of the print quality achieved under the selected standard, and can ensure compliance with different standard specifications every day.
Plans to move into the cosmetic packaging market will become fruitful with the new Rapida press. Its UV capability will provide faster drying, and a variety of new high-end coating techniques and applications. The press also provides a new ability to print on foil board for the cosmetic market.
What sealed the deal to partner with KBA was the press manufacturer’s focus on the packaging market, its team of experts to work together and provide maximum efficiency for the printer’s new color systems and UV, and its overall business approach.
“Our success is derived from our continued drive for innovation and enhanced productivity for our customers,” says Randy Johnson, VP of Operations at Sandusky, “as well as our initiation of lean manufacturing. This press—our new key workhorse—will be a game-changer for our firm and our customers.”
