In an interview with PrintWeek, KBA North America marketing VP Eric Frank said PrintWorks, which was founded in 2008, financed the press itself. The press is due to be delivered this week and should be up and running in the next few months after employee training.
 
The new Rapida 142 will be used for high-end packaging and features UV capabilities as well as QualiTronic Color Control, a closed loop inline color density measurement and control system, which KBA said is the first of its kind for sheetfed offset. The QualiTronic Color Control system enables corrections to be made within 10 sheets of an error being detected and cuts waste by shortening press run-up to saleable color.

"The addition of this press will allow us to extend new offerings to our existing customers and prospects along with reduced lead times and improved color integrity," John Dowd, PaperWorks senior marketing and sales VP, said in a statement. "The seven-color capabilities of the KBA Rapida 142 press are ideally suited to ECG systems which are currently being implemented in several of our production facilities."
 
Headquartered in Philadelphia, PaperWorks has 18 facilities in North America, 11 for packaging alone, and more than $600m in annual sales.  

Frank said the deal was finalized in late 2011, but stressed it wasn't among the sales announced at September's Graph Expo. He added, "KBA North America just completed one of its best years ever and that is largely due to the growth in large-format packaging. Packaging printers are seeing an increase in their business and are looking to invest in efficiencies."

Frank also noted that many packaging printers are responding to their customers' need for packaging that can convey a brand message, especially given the increased competition on retail shelves.

Though it's still early, Frank suggested there are already good signs for a strong 2012. "Our current backlog is healthy, particularly in the 41-inch and large-format segments and we are seeing more demonstrations that lead to press placements from both individual packaging companies and large packaging corporations," he said, adding that while in the past the company may have seen a significant portion of its business in replacing older presses in KBA shops, it is now getting into facilities that had been using their competitors' machines.