Simply Cartons places order for second KBA Rapida 106

The first KBA Rapida 106 order was placed in August 2015, as detailed here, with the latest order being placed at drupa 2016. The new press, a 6-color machine with double coating facility, will be installed in early 2017.

As well as a double coating facility, Simply Cartons’ new KBA Rapida 106 features DriveTronic SIS sidelay-free infeed, DriveTronic SPC simultaneous plate changing and CleanTronic SRW simultaneous roller washing. The press also includes an extensive non-stop and logistics system, and it is raised on a 900mm plinth to assist in producing large volumes of very heavy folding carton materials at its maximum 20,000sph speed without stopping. For in-line color control and inspection, the Rapida 106 is equipped with QualiTronic Professional.

The new Rapida 106 presses replace presses from other manufacturers, and makes Simply Cartons an all KBA site.

The decision to purchase the second press was based upon the performance and quality of the first KBA press, a 7-color with double coating version, with an additional special print unit before the last coating tower.

‘We are a highly service-driven business and our customers expect us to provide them with innovative solutions for their products,’ said Simply Cartons CEO Craig Mather. ‘We have always had a reputation for using our skills and experience in finding new solutions for our customers. Therefore, we need to work with a supplier which has a similar pedigree to ours. The synergies between Simply Cartons and KBA in the areas of R&D, innovation, and most importantly, the value placed upon people are clearly apparent.

‘We now have the ability to produce up to 40,000 B1 sheets per hour with multiple coating applications. This firepower will give our customers the confidence that we can fulfill varying volume of work without any worry of capacity.’

Chris Scully, KBA (UK) sales director, added: ‘With its two investments in 2015 and 2016, Simply Cartons is now clearly at the forefront of the technology race, which will put it ahead of the competition in the field of luxury packaging producers.’

Pictured (from left): Andrew Pang, KBA (UK) managing director; Craig Mather, CEO of Simply Cartons; Ralf Sammeck, KBA-Sheetfed CEO; and Chris Scully, sales director at KBA (UK)