Qualvis Print & Packaging has ordered a second seven-colour B1 press from Koenig & Bauer to join a previous generation machine installed at the Leicester business in 2017.
The company is keeping the precise specification of the Rapida 106X under wraps, but it has two coaters as well as the seven print units. Qualvis has worked on the specification with Koenig & Bauer to meet a “very real need in the market” and is “something entirely different”.
The press includes simultaneous plate changing, closed loop measure of ink densities and registration. The machine has a VariDry Blue 2 hot air dryer which recirculates unsaturated air to cut energy consumption by 30%. It will print with vegetable oil inks.
The company, where brother and sister Marcus Short and Lisa Smith are joint managing directors, is also boosting its finishing capacity. It is buying the 600m/min Omega Alius 90 folder gluer that was featured on the stand at Drupa. It is also buying a further Iberica die cutter creaser.
The two directors say: “Not only have we partnered with K&B for our new press but we’ll also be installing the new Omega Alius 90 folder gluer coming direct from Drupa. The first of the new model to market will offer high speeds and intelligent automatic setup. This new folder gluer complements our requirements perfectly.”
The company has focused on supplying sustainable packaging alternatives to expanding artisan brands and retailers with a design to delivery service. It has placed solar panels on roofs to cut its carbon footprint.
“This completes phase two of our long term investment programme and allows us to continue to focus on sustainable cutting edge innovation and first to market solutions, which is our passion, while increasing capacity to allow for growth which has been exponential over recent years. Extremely exciting times.”
The focus will be on the capabilities of the press and how this matches with trends from buyers. Koenig & Bauer UK managing director Chris Scully is equally mum about precise specifications: “All I can reveal about the new press is that it is quite unique. Our product designers have worked closely with Qualvis, under strict non disclosure, to develop a one of its kind capability that will give Qualvis a jump on the market.”
