Komori’s $20 million run includes three new 10-colour presses
David Fuller, managing director of Focus Press, claims the decision to purchase the new press was inspired by potential gains in productivity.
“The perfecting machine is going to prove more than twice as fast as a straight machine, allowing higher output and less waste to boot,” says Fuller.
The Focus Press sale is one of three announced by Gerard Wintle, general manager machinery, CPI. The other two are also slated for Sydney printers but he says the customers have asked for their identities to be kept confidential. It brings to five the number of Komori long perfecting presses in the region and is part of a $20 million sales surge that has breathed new life into the press marque.
“It’s to do with the buying cycle of our user base and, I think, the benefits of our perfecting design have now been accepted in the market,” said Wintle. “It’s always difficult getting that first one in but now people are coming around.”
The sales are not limited to 10-colour presses. The list includes the region’s first half-size Komori LS29 five-colour going in to Thames Publishing in Wellington, New Zealand.
Other recent installs are:
Giving up on alcohol
Fuller extols the green potential of his Komori and says he will be giving alcohol-free production his best shot once the press is installed. Focus Press currently run on three per cent alcohol and is aiming to lower this number even further.
“It should have a positive impact on our waste management, and we are speccing it so hopefully it won’t require any alcohol for production,” he says. “At the moment we’re speaking to a network of Komori owners to see how we can achieve this.”
Fuller claims the 10-colour Komori will assist his company’s green agenda in a number of other ways. He will be installing a new ink delivery system that pumps direct from a 200-litre drum, reducing the need for tins and cartridges. New software allows for running colour on the press to be achieved in only 30 sheets, bringing a further reduction in waste.