Further investment in a cutting-edge printing centre

Four years ago Mittelrhein-Verlag invested over €42m ($47m) in a highly automated and cutting-edge printing centre in Koblenz. The heart of the centre, a triple-wide KBA Commander CT with four reelstands, four 6/2 towers and two folders, will now be extended with a new compact web press. The 6/2 KBA Commander CT will be engineered for the Rhine format, with a maximum web width of 2,100mm (82.67in). In addition to the Rhein-Zeitung the triple-wide press will print frees, inserts and contract work with a total weekly print run of some two million copies.

Print remains a firm business pillar

The company was founded in 1946. The Rhein-Zeitung is one of Germany’s largest regional titles with a paid circulation of some 185,000 copies. It is published daily in 13 local editions covering the wider Koblenz area from Westerwald to Hunsrück and from the Eifel to the Taunus. The newspaper is thus the media group’s core product. “The printed regional newspaper can look forward to a bright future as long as the conditions are right. We therefore invest with conviction in the latest press technology from Koenig & Bauer,” says publishing manager Siegmund Radtke. Nevertheless, Mittelrhein-Verlag was one of the first companies to set up an online service back in 1995 and it is constantly being expanded.

Automation boosts productivity

The two KBA Pastomat reelstands for reels up to 1,524mm (60in) wide are embedded in a KBA Patras automatic reel-loading system, like the existing press. It will be possible to select 5/12, 7/12 and 11/12 ribbons for spadias. The two compact four-high towers equipped with automatic roller locks can be spilt down the centre for maintenance access. The towers will feature KBA PlateTronic automatic plate changing, KBA NipTronic bearing technology, KBA FanoTronic fan-out compensation, automatic colour-register controls, KBA CleanTronic blanket washing, inking-unit washing and central ink pumping. The press will be controlled from KBA ErgoTronic consoles incorporating a KBA EasyTronic automation module for minimum waste and short set-up times. Together with the company experienced KBA specialists will perform all maintenance, production monitoring and press checks for the 6/2 Commander CT. Preventative maintenance and press inspections ensure a high degree of reliability and production efficiency. The investment in the 6/2 Commander CT continues the successful partnership between Mittelrhein-Verlag and Koenig & Bauer.