Rapidas reap rewards

27 March 2009



KBA presses boost growth at Model Obaly


Swiss based group Model Holding employs KBA’s Rapida offset press technology at its Czech production plants. The most recent addition, the third Rapida 105 (formerly Rapida 105 universal) in succession, came on stream last October at the facility in Hostinné.

The history of Model Obaly’s factory at this site dates back to 1887, when the company started producing hand glued paper bags. The business operated under the name Krpaco until 1998, when it was taken over by Cofinec. This was acquired in 2003 by Model Holding, which proceeded to invest heavily in new kit.

Today, the Hostinné facility produces a broad spectrum of exclusive packaging for food and luxury goods, for which it has been extensively refurbished. Within four years Model Obaly has pressed the button on three Rapidas. It has also invested in new technology for the finishing department that includes a die cutting machine from Bobst.

The first B1 (41 in) Rapida, which was shipped to Hostinné in 2004, was a 6-colour coater version with extended delivery. With sales steadily climbing, it soon became evident that production capacity had reached its limits. After conducting a rigorous selection procedure, management again opted for a 6-colour Rapida, this time with two coaters and two interdeck dryers.

With this press it is possible to print conventional inks followed by a UV coating or two aqueous coatings, and the company has exploited this capability to the full.

“With this press we can respond to a broad diversity of customer demands,” explains Petr Etrich, production manager of the Hostinné plant. “We have not yet decided whether to embrace all-UV production, because some of our customers still prefer conventional inks and aqueous coatings.

“When the second Rapida 105 went into operation two years ago, it was not long before we noticed that our production capacity was still too small. In 2007, the volume of incoming orders swelled by 25 per cent; and the first few months of last year saw a further 15 per cent increase. Management therefore decided to add a third press along with a new production line for folding cartons.”

A contract was signed last May and in October a Rapida 105 of the new generation exhibited at drupa came into action in the Czech plant. Once again this was a 6-colour coater version with extended delivery.

“Our three Rapidas not only deliver a superior print quality but have also furnished the capacity to respond quickly to customer demands,” enthuses Petr Etrich. “All three press lines feature non-stop systems at the feeder and delivery to support on-the-fly pile change.”

The most recent Rapida was embedded in the company’s existing KBA LogoTronic network and linked to a DensiTronic Professional densitometry and spectrophotometry system.

Petr Etrich continues: “Soon after we switched to KBA it became evident that installing the Rapidas had been the right move. All three presses function flawlessly, deliver a superb print quality and are highly productive. Not for nothing does KBA enjoy an outstanding reputation among packaging printers; and the Rapidas are ideal for our product lines.”

Today, Hostinné is one of the Model group’s leading production plants. At present around 8,000 tonne of board are processed into folding cartons every year, but there are plans to increase the volume to 10,000 tonne over the next two to three years. The plant specialises in the production of high grade blister packaging and primary packaging for the food industry, and was the first packaging manufacturer in the Czech Republic to achieve BRC/IoP accreditation for its production workflow.


The high speed Rapida 105 two-coater press installed last year, alongside a Rapida 105 (formerly Rapida 105 universal)

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The high speed Rapida 105 two-coater press installed last year, alongside a Rapida 105 (formerly Rapida 105 universal) The high speed Rapida 105 two-coater press installed last year, alongside a Rapida 105 (formerly Rapida 105 universal)


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