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A large stand measuring more than 1,000 square meters enabled Koenig & Bauer to present future-oriented print technology in all its facets at the Print China trade fair held in Guangdong from 9 to 13 April. Live print demonstrations took place on an 8-colour Rapida 106 perfector with inline coating, as well as a Rapida 75 PRO 5-color. Comprehensive information on further innovative solutions from the fields of digital and flexo printing, metal decorating, postpress and other special applications were provided by the K&B fair team.
Visitors were impressed by the smart print technologies addressing current print trends. The digitization concept under the banner of Koenig & Bauer 4.0 captivated the gathered print professionals similar to the comprehensive portfolio of classic and new data-driven services.
Contracts worth several tens of millions of Euros
By the end of the fair, contracts worth several tens of millions of Euros were signed with printing companies throughout China and from several other countries in South and Southeast Asia. Rapida sheetfed presses in all classes, from half to large format, were in high demand especially from repeat customers.
That was the case with Fuzhou Xingkai Color Printing, which has owned a Rapida 105 in a 4-color configuration since 2011. At Print China 19, a follow-up order was placed for a 7-color Rapida 105 with coater and UV curing. Xiamen Lutengda Printing and Zhejiang Chuangsijie Printing each signed up for a new Rapida 164 (maximum sheet size 1,205 x 1,640 mm). Xiamen Lutengda, too, is a longstanding user of large-format presses from Koenig & Bauer that is planning to enhance efficiency and reduce energy with the new purchase. For Zhejiang Chuangsijie Printing, the new Rapida 164 is seen as the key to new ventures in packaging production.
Ningxia Jihong Environmental Packaging Technology positions itself as a smart, highly automated and especially ecological print factory. At Print China, the company ordered a 5-color Rapida 145 with coater, FAPC fully automatic plate changers and a whole raft of further automation features. This will be one of the most highly automated presses in China, and will enable Ningxia Jihong to continue implementation of its ambitious energy-saving and environmental strategies, while at the same time boosting efficiency and reducing labour costs.
Brisk post-fair business expected
In addition to the contracts already signed, Koenig & Bauer is looking at brisk post-fair business. Many print industry decision-makers expressed interest in both equipment and services and are planning to invest. Dietmar Heyduck, sales director for Koenig & Bauer Sheetfed, says, “China is one of the most important world markets for Koenig & Bauer. The visitor numbers and contracts concluded at Print China exceeded our expectations.”
Walter Zehner, managing director of Koenig & Bauer Greater China, adds, “With digital products such as the CorruJET, we are in a good position on the international market. There was also enormous interest in the VariJET for digital folding carton production among our Chinese customers. We are delighted to be able to demonstrate the successful transformation of our company from a traditional press manufacturer into a leading supplier of digital solutions.”
The fair visitors were similarly keen to obtain information on further products and services from the extensive Koenig & Bauer portfolio, for example rotary and flatbed die-cutters, folder-gluers, the RotaJET, flexo solutions, coding technologies and especially the whole field of corrugated printing, which was showcased for the first time at a trade fair in China.
