Representatives of the 135-strong Lockerbie-based company came to Ipex to sign for a monster 11-unit KBA Rapida 162a. Part of the DS Smith Group, the company produces litho-laminated cartons for the food, toys and consumer goods sectors.

Managing director Bob Thomson said the new machine, which arrives at the plant in June, was an exciting prospect for a company and staff. It will be the centrepiece of a 5.5m investment in plant and buildings, he added.

The new machine, which is an addition to the companys capacity, will come equipped with a double coater, twin driers and extended delivery.
KBA has also enjoyed a great deal of interest in its new B3 machine, the Genius 52, which makes its world debut at Ipex.

The machine ships in the second half of this year and the company aims to have shipped 25 units by the year-end, according to marketing director Klaus Schmidt.

KBA is pitching the press, which is available in four-colour, four-colour with coater and five-colour configurations, against the Heidelberg GTO. It could be the new GTO for the next century, said Schmidt.

Pricing has not yet been revealed but will be very competitive said Schmidt. It will maybe be a little higher than the GTO because it is a new technology. Schmidt also revealed that KBA was in talks with CTP vendors about selling the machines as part of a press/platesetter package.

The Genius is a waterless machine with keyless inking units (similar to those on its 74 Karat DI press). Its four or five units are arranged as V-shaped assemblies around a central impression cylinder. An aqueous coater will be available as an alternative to the fifth unit from summer 2003.

Also making its debut at KBA is the new livery for its Karat range. The DI machines are now kitted out in KBAs grey and blue colours.

By Lauretta Roberts