KBA North America

The Atlantic Zeiser Group, a leading developer and supplier of modules and end-to-end system solutions for industrial digital and security printing, is to deliver the Delta 105i high-speed digital printer to Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) for inline integration into the new generation sheetfed offset Rapida 105 press.

Just-released preliminary figures reveal that German press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) bucked the industry trend in 2011 to post a pre-tax group profit for the third year in succession. Group sales were marginally lower than in 2010 (€1.179 billion) following slacker demand in the second six months of the year and delays to shipments in the fourth quarter.

The Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization (PRIMIR) recently announced the officers and members of its 2012 Executive Committee. Eric Frank, vice president of marketing, KBA North America, was elected as the organization's chairman. A graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Frank has more than 25 years of printing industry experience and is active in a number of industry associations.

As of April 1, 2012, the supervisory board of German press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer AG has appointed Michael Kummert (49) the company’s new executive vice-president for production. A qualified engineer, Kummert will take over the production responsibility from president and CEO Claus Bolza-Schünemann.

KBA moved into the 11th position because its Technology Strength score increased. Technology Strength is the product of the granted patent count and the Current Impact score. Current Impact measures the citation frequency to a firm’s patent portfolio and compares it to the “average” patent portfolio.

PaperWorks Industries, a leading North American integrated full-service packaging provider based in Philadelphia, will be adding a new 56" Rapida 142 seven-color press with UV capabilities to its facility in Mt. Gilead, NC. The press is due to be delivered in the next few days with a mid-March start-up date after installation and press training.

Commercial printer company and personnel news from Printing Impressions’ January 2012 edition.

The KBA Commander CL press will enable the Albany (NY) Times Union to provide readers and advertisers with one of the best-quality newspapers in the country and support multiple-format products. It replaces a letterpress machine installed in the 1970s.

Koenig & Bauer AG, Germany’s second- largest maker of printing machines, said it aims to increase sales and profit next year as rivals struggle. Revenue and new orders will “grow moderately” in 2012, CEO Claus Bolza-Schuenemann said at a press conference in Frankfurt today. Earnings will rise only “slightly” as pricing pressure persists.

The IG Metall labor union said yesterday that politicians should be willing to provide an “integrated concept” for the printing industry. Bolza-Schuenemann said he was skeptical of a state role.

“Government aid for rivals in insolvency would threaten jobs at Koenig & Bauer,” the CEO said.

Marshall & Bruce Printing, a specialist in general commercial printing and packaging and fulfillment services, has added a KBA Genius 52 20˝ press alongside its existing KBA Rapida 105 41˝ seven-color press. The firm is running many new applications with the press.