The launch of Komori’s full-size offset packaging press in Japan last week by Mr. Yoshiharu Komori, the venerable chairman, president and CEO of the company delivers the missing link to the packaging specialists at Ferrostaal Australia.
The agents for Bobst die-cutters and econopack cartoners are now able to offer end-to-end production equipment to the packaging industry. Packaging veteran, Carsten Wendler, managing director, Ferrostaal Australia who travelled to the Komori factory with Rayne Simpson, general manager, hailed the new press as a “game changer, not only for Ferrostaal but for the packaging industry in general.
“It allows us to talk with customers on a different level, now we have industry-leading brands across the whole production chain. Until now we didn’t have the standard big offset packaging size press, but this new Lithrone GX40 is one of the most advanced presses in the world,” he said.
The new press will be available in Australia by the end of the year and will come with Komori patented HD-UV drying. Equipped with all the latest Komori automation and quality control technology, the Lithrone GX40 sets new standard for sheet inspection with every board numbered and scanned. The 18,000 per hour press is at the top of the industry throughput speed but Simpson is keen to emphasize the productivity increase that comes with short make-readies and the less than 30-sheet waste before it is up and running again.
Historic launch for Komori in Japan (left-to-right) Rayne Simpson, general manager Ferrostaal Australia, Lee Armstrong, pressroom manager, Platypus Graphics, Carsten Wendler, managing director, Ferrostaal Australia, Patrick Howard, publisher, Print21 and Toshiyuki Tsugawa, group general manager, overseas sales, Komori Corporation.
“It’s not about the speed, although that is very fast. It’s about the throughput, the quality and the reduction in waste, automating the feeding and delivery of stacks,” he said.
Noting that other manufacturers can match the size, speed and configuration Simpson is still convinced the additional technology on the Lithrone GX40 lift it to a new level.
“The packaging industry is becoming even more quality conscious and this is a fantastic opportunity for Ferrostaal to be able to offer such a high quality piece of equipment.
“Packaging is the highest growing market in the printing industry. The launch of this new press means Komori are gearing up to support that growth. And so are we.”
Wendler is keen to promote the company’s experience and packaging knowledge base as well as its ability to advise customers all the way into the printers’ clients, the big FMCG multi-nationals that use Ferrostaal equipment too.
“No one else is able to provide this end-to-end advice. Our core competence is in the packaging industry and this new press just completes the line-up,” he said.