The six-colour KBA 162a with coater, costing about 2.2m, will spearhead a move into environmentally friendly and high-quality point-of-sale and packaging print.

"We have to stay one step ahead of rivals and hybrid inks will allow us to respond creatively to our commercial customers' needs," said works director Paul Cockerill. "We should take no more than
20 minutes to switch from conventional to hybrid inks."

The press will replace the Coventry's firm's Rapida 162a, which it bought in 1999 for map and fine-art printing.

KBA UK technical sales support manager Malcolm Riddle said the hybrid technology would allow UV varnish to be put over inks that are neither UV- or oil-based, but can be cured under UV lamps. "It lets commercial printers do high-gloss coatings without the environmental problems caused by UV solvents and rollers," he said.
He added that the 162a was one of KBA's highest-spec presses, boasting Logotronic Professional workflow, automatic plate changing and multiple washing for blankets, plates and impression cylinders. It uses Adphos/Elosch Light Guide UV driers.

The press, which can output 15,000 sheets of up to 1,200x1,620mm per hour, is due to arrive in December.

The kit was part of a 2.5m spend by the 30-staff company, which included a Lscher CTP system, which will feed the new press.