Rehms Druck chooses Konica Minolta for investment in B2 inkjet

The sheet-fed press further expands the company’s capabilities, enabling it to grow into new markets using one digital inkjet technology that can handle direct mail and packaging, such as folding cartons, as well as a range of other key applications.

Rehms Druck, of Borken, Westphalia, in north west Germany, has been a Konica Minolta customer for many years using its toner-based system. However, the company realized in 2016 that the time was right to invest in cut-sheet UV inkjet technology and, specifically, the AccurioJet KM-1.

The deal was finalized at the end of February this year after Rehms Druck challenged Konica Minolta to print a range of applications that included high quality direct mail, packaging and labels. The selection process also involved asking Konica Minolta to prove the capabilities of the AccurioJet KM-1 in terms of quality and return on investment. Rehms Druck will also benefit from Konica Minolta’s support services, including marketing planning, application development and insight, and on-site training for key operators, as well as elite access to Prokom, the independent user group of Konica Minolta.

Daniel Baier, managing director of Rehms Druck, said: ‘We thoroughly tested the print quality of the Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1 against its competitors. And the quality and the results have really inspired us to make the investment now. The performance and return on investment that the AccurioJet KM-1 can deliver will allow us to expand our market capability as we move into the packaging market and continue to develop our direct mail capabilities.’

The AccurioJet KM-1 B2+ press provides a wide range of media handling on both coated and uncoated substrates from 0.06-0.6mm. This means customers can use standard offset stocks without the need for pre-treatment or expensive digital papers. Rehms Druck will expand this feature into printing on to certain types of plastics and labels. It also features patented technology to ‘freeze’ the inkjet dot, allowing for perfect registration of colors and image stability, according to Konica Minolta. AccurioJet KM-1 also includes the ability to duplex (perfect) prints that come off the press and go straight to finishing.

‘Konica Minolta spent many months working with our teams to fully understand our business and specific requirements,’ added Baier. ‘We have been highly impressed by the professionalism and the attention to detail that everybody from Konica Minolta has taken to support our venture into new markets.’

Mark Hinder, head of market development for Konica Minolta Europe, said: ‘We pay careful attention to our customers’ needs so we can build a successful business partnership focusing on the new market opportunities that UV inkjet can create. Our teams have been heavily involved in identifying and assessing how the AccurioJet KM-1 could not only integrate into Rehms Druck’s existing Kodak Prinergy workflows, but also through variable data streams. This is further proof that this digital print system is a highly flexible, adaptable platform for innovative customers looking to expand their capabilities.

‘This AccurioJet KM-1 will enable Rehms Druck to grow into new applications that would not have been possible with other technologies, thanks to the large sheet size this world-class production system can offer.’