The press is the latest big buy in a 12.3m five-year "regeneration programme," which includes a new 1,000m press hall at its Derbyshire site as well as the six long perfecting presses.

"The aim is to increase efficiency so invoicing, turnover and profitability go up but manpower stays the same," said chief executive Bernard Galloway.

The new KBA, due for a July installation, follows an eight-colour model commissioned last May and another one the previous June.
Turnover at the 95-staff firm had doubled in five years and profitability gone up seven fold, he said.

The latest KBA 105 prints on 65gsm to 300gsm material. The firm expects to deploy 55 units by July to roll out 335 magazine titles for over 140 publishers.

Galloway said he hoped to buy another machine within a year, probably a 10-colour press with sheeter. However, it would be bought in a competitive-bid process like all the other machines.
He chose the KBA Rapida 105 against rival kit from Heidelberg, Komori and Mitsubishi.

"We've become kind of attached to KBA," he said. "They give excellent service and we were impressed with their impression cylinder. But our next buy won't necessarily be from the same firm. We will go into the market place and buy what we think is best for us."

Buxton Press will house the largest battery of KBA Rapida 105 long perfectors to be found anywhere in the world, said KBA. Support from three high-speed Rapidkut reel sheeters improve efficiency and press performance.

Story by Jez Abbott