KBA North America

IT’S STRIKING for so many industry trends to be encapsulated in a single company, especially a mid-size printer with just over 50 employees. Denver-based Lange Graphics continues to make major investments in sheetfed offset capabilities while expanding its digital printing business. Both production platforms have the capability to support the firm’s diversification into printing on plastic, static cling and removable vinyl materials. The shop also is in the process of rolling out a Web-to-print solution. Lange Graphics originally established a separate business—Digi Colorado—as a vehicle for its move into digital printing, but is now offering offset and digital printing services in an integrated approach. Its

Komori Demos LS29 Press at Open House ROLLING MEADOWS, IL—Komori America held an open house and press demonstration recently to showcase the production capabilities of its new 29˝ Lithrone LS29 sheetfed press, which debuted in April at the IPEX exhibition. Six different forms were run on a six-color model with tower coater to demonstrate its six-minute job changeover capabilities (50 percent faster than the Lithrone 28). The new 16,000 sph, console-driven press comes equipped standard with fully automatic plate changers and blanket washers, and Komori’s KHS pre-inking system, to speed makeready times. Ryobi Opens Press Manufacturing Center HIROSHIMA, JAPAN—Ryobi Limited of Japan has more than doubled the

SEWICKLEY, PA—The Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation has selected 11 technologies to receive 2006 PIA/GATF InterTech Technology awards. The winners, selected from among 35 nominations, addressed issues such as touchless workflows, package printing and Web-to-print technologies. The winners will receive the Lucite InterTech stars during the competition’s annual luncheon at the fall administrative meetings, held November 9-12 in Milwaukee. The 2006 InterTech recipients, in alphabetical order with the technology listed first, include: Adobe PDF print engine, Adobe Systems; Microsystems Microcip software module, C&P Microsystems; Dalim Mistral, Dalim Software; WebCenter, Esko-Graphics; Magnum Ink formulation dispenser, GFI Innovations; Zero-slip nip enhancement, Goss International Americas; KBA Genius

WOBURN, MA—UniGraphic, a full-service general commercial printer, has tapped KBA North America for a pair of press additions. The company is installing a seven-color, 41” Rapida 105 sheetfed offset press and a 74 Karat digital offset waterless press.Both presses are being installed this month, and are expected to go live in September.UniGraphic President Bob Quinlan…

MONTREAL—Transcontinental has plunked down C$25 million to bolster its Saint-Hyacinthe plant, including the acquisition of an eight-unit KBA Compacta 618 web press and a 22,500-square-foot addition to the building.The investment includes modifications to the building structure to accommodate the new press, which will begin operating in the spring of 2007. The facility, which generates around…

TO STAND out from the rest of the herd, offset press manufacturers, both web and sheetfed, have ramped up their service offerings. This trend toward extended service plans, preventive maintenance programs and beefed up parts and labor options is allowing press manufacturers to expand what is offered to their customers while also becoming more of a partner with the printer. Here is a look at some service plans that are available, in no particular order. At PRINT 05, Heidelberg unveiled an extended service package to the U.S. market called systemservice 36plus. Heidelberg’s systemservice 36plus service package extends service coverage for a period of 36

WURZBURG, GERMANY—It takes two to Tango and, despite a German newspaper report that cited Koenig & Bauer AG’s (KBA) desire to grow its platform by enlisting the help of a competitor, a major consolidation between competing press manufacturers does not appear imminent. KBA CEO Albrecht Bolza-Schunemann was quoted in the May 12 edition of Boersen-Zeitung as saying his company is interested in creating a relationship with MAN Roland, via a partnership or even an acquisition. “We are open to everything. But, in the case of a partnership, there has to be clear ground rules that clarify who is responsible for which activities,” Bolza-Schunemann told the paper. In

WURZBURG, GERMANY—KBA AG is bullish about spurring growth and might want to enlist the help of a competitor to do so, according to a German newspaper report.KBA CEO Albrecht Bolza-Schunemann was quoted in the Boersen-Zeitung as saying his company is interested in creating a relationship with MAN Roland, via a partnership or even an acquisition.“We…

OVER THE last several months, I have had occasion to speak with a number of print shops that have acquired direct imaging (DI) presses. Out of these conversations have come some common themes that present an interesting picture about where this technology fits in today’s increasingly complex and competitive printing environment. Interest in DI was relatively flat prior to DRUPA 2004, when several new DI technologies were announced. It is these new product developments and continued growth in high quality, short-run color that have created increased momentum behind the DI press. The owners I spoke with had some terrific business growth stories to

Stora Enso has announced the opening of its new Southern California regional distribution center in Montebello, just south of Los Angeles. Len Cammalleri is MAN Roland’s new district sales manager in New York and New Jersey. He has held senior sales and management posts with Hell Graphic Systems, Linotype, Polaroid and Hewlett-Packard. Meanwhile, Gerald Whitlow takes over as district sales manager in Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Diamond Holding Corp. has appointed Matt Greene to the position of technical sales representative. Greene will join the telemarketing department and will be responsible for nationwide sales of the Diamond Express product line. KBA North America has named