Printers in Asia are Snapping up KBA’s New B1 Rapida 105

WÜRZBURG, GERMANY—October 16, 2012—The dynamic Southeast Asian region is a growth market for Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA). At present packaging presses, in particular, are popular in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and various other countries. In this continually expanding market sector KBA has long since established a strong presence with its medium- and large-format Rapida offset presses for printing folding cartons.

Asian printers are snapping up KBA’s new B1 (41˝) Rapida 105, which is based on the same technological platform as the high-tech Rapida 106 and was unveiled in November 2011 at the All-in-Print trade fair in Shanghai. Its practical level of automation, ability to handle an extensive range of substrates and high-production output of up to 16,500 sph (with speed-enhancement package), make the Rapida 105 the most advanced press of its class. But printers in the region are also buying the Rapida 106 world makeready champion, half-format and large-format Rapidas.

Thailand: packaging printers invest in Rapidas
In spring this year packaging and folding-carton manufacturer F4 Kyoshin Proprint in Khlong Luang, north of Bangkok, became one of the numerous Rapida 105 users in Thailand. The configuration it chose was for six colors with a coater, a CX board-handling capability, nonstop facilities at the feeder and delivery, and a maximum rated speed of 16,500 sph.

Another new Rapida user, The War Veterans Printer in Bangkok, recently took delivery of a four-color version of the Rapida 105. Established in 1948, the company is owned by The War Veterans Organization of Thailand, whose patron is the King. It has around 50 employees and mainly prints commercials, most of them for state institutions.

The first new-generation large-format Rapida 145 in Thailand was installed in August at Sahakij Packaging in Bangkhunthian, south of Bangkok. The six-color coater press with extended delivery and hybrid capability for alternate conventional and UV inks is mounted on a 420mm (16.53˝) plinth and has an automated nonstop facility at the feeder plus a height-adjustable nonstop roller in the delivery.

At the beginning of next year Continental Packaging in Bangkok will receive its second seven-color Rapida 105 coater press. The company, which was founded in 1946 and now employs around 1,000 staff, processes 10,000 tonnes (11,000 US tons) of board and paper per year. Its biggest product lines are food packaging, labels and wrappers.

Vietnam: Rapida technology for packaging and books
KAF Investment and Business in Hanoi, north Vietnam, will be the proud recipient this autumn of a four-color Rapida 75. At about the same time a Rapida 105 with seven printing units and a coater will go to Starprint Vietnam in Bien Hoa City. Since starting up in 2001 this packaging specialist and leading producer of children’s books has worked with three medium-format presses from other vendors. In 2004 the ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 accredited company opened a publishing and sales office in Thailand.