Quality Press gears up with KBA ten-colour B1

Perth-based Quality Press is installing a KBA ten-colour B1 perfector, with managing director Atish Shah saying the company is “gearing up for the future”.

 

The KBA Rapida 106 came from former rival Picton Press, which went into liquidation in July following a year-long battle to stay afloat.

Speaking to Print21 Shah said, “We have been looking to upgrade our fleet, to put us on a platform for the future. The new KBA ten-colour has all the bells and whistles; it is a superb looking machine, and will deliver real efficiencies as well as the highest quality print.”

Quality Press will take out two of its existing presses – a ten-colour B1 and an eight-colour B2 – and will keep its existing five-colour B1 to run alongside KBA. Shah said, “The two presses that are making way are a fair bit older. Replacing them has been on our agenda, so when the opportunity to buy the KBA Rapida came up it was great timing. Taking out the B2 also means we will be able to gain efficiencies from only having B1 presses.”

Preparations at the Welshpool site are in full flow. Shah said, “We are just preparing the pads. The press will be installed next week, I expect it will be in full production by the end of the month.”

It is a first from the renowned German press manufacturer for Quality Press, says Shah.

“We haven't worked with KBA before, but the company has a serious reputation, we are looking forward to partnering with them,” he said.

Quality Press is also installing a pair of folding machines and a guillotine along with the new press.

The company is one of a handful of B1 printers in Perth, but almost half its work comes from the east coast. Shah said, “Our customers enjoy the personal relationship they have with us – they know they can pick up the phone and talk to senior management.”

Former Picton director Dennis Hague and general manager Graham Jamieson are both now working for Quality Press. Shah said, “It has been great to add two key guys to the team here.”