Horton Print Group in Bradford has installed the first KBA Rapida 74 in the country.


"We looked at the 74 against all the other leading manufacturers and we just felt that it would suit us the best," said Horton Print managing director Michael Burrowes.


The firm signed for the 500,000 press last spring (PrintWeek, 14 April 2000), when the press was still in prototype form.


The 18-staff firm, which has a turnover in excess of 1m, will run the five-colour 52x74cm Rapida 74 on a 16-hour shift pattern.


The new press adds additional capacity to the company, which has no plans to replace any of its three Heidelberg GTO presses or its Heidelberg MO.


Burrowes said that the Rapidas ability to print on a wide range of substrates was influential in the decision to purchase it.


"We do a lot of work for Bradford NHS Trust and St James Hospital in Leeds as well as commercial work, so it had to be flexible," said Burrowes.


The Rapida 74 has CIPLink for press pre-setting, motorised diagonal register and automatic plate change. Automatic blanket and roller wash is optional, as is plate temperature control.