Evolution for large format manroland 900

Manroland will launch a new version of its large format Roland 900 press in the next few weeks, based on the B1 R700 Evolution technology.

The new press was due to be launched at drupa, but with the show postponed until next April, the press manufacturer is now about to launch the new model.

It will be available in size V 1300mm and size VI 1450mm formats, with precise specifications available on its official launch, but with much of the B1 R700 technology to be incorporated.

The new large format press comes as the field in that sector narrows, with Heidleberg pulling out of VLF press manufacturing, ceasing production of its Speedmaster XL 145 and Speedmaster XL 162, in order to focus on its core products.

The very large format sector is now essentially a two way competition between manroland and KBA, the latter of which has seen a fair amount of success in Australia in its large format presses. Manoland too has seen major successes here with its R900, it is installed in some of the biggest packaging printers in the country.

Komori has a large format press but doesn't really market it outside Japan, while the fifth offset press manufacturer RMGT is not in large format size.