The operation, which was formed when US-based DG3 merged with London printer Leycol in 2017, is set to install the press in May with the intention of increasing its focus on high-performance and high-quality print markets. Clients include high-end design brands, galleries and retailers.
The new press will replace several Heidelberg machines at DG3 Leycol's 2,600sqm plant in Gillingham. The company consulted with Rapida users Taylor Bloxham and Park Communications, as well as visiting Koenig & Bauer (K&B) in Germany in the process of deciding on the investment.
“Ultimately, we chose K&B because they provided the right package in terms of support and training. It ticked all our boxes,” said DG3 UK managing director Barry Page.
“It provides great makeready time, reduction in waste, improved efficiency and really maximises what we can get from the press. From our point of view, it gives us everything we want in order to compete in that high-quality print run market.
“I think clients are demanding more and more in terms of quality and turnaround times so this allows us to meet their needs. It was not just a case of buying a machine but figuring out what feels right – and that is what we found with the Rapida.”
The new Rapida 106 is a five-colour plus coater machine running at up to 18,000sph. It is equipped with a Sensoric infeed system and servo-driven motors for the feeder drives and suction belts to increase running speeds and ensure faster turnaround times.
It also uses ErgoTronic Autorun to queue up several jobs at once, and QualiTronic ColorControl is designed to ensure ISO 12647-2 colour standard compliance.
The Rapida is DG3 UK’s first K&B purchase and will take pride of place at the Gillingham factory, feeding work to a raft of finishing equipment, including folding, perfect binding and stitching lines.
US-headquartered DG3 employs 150 staff across its UK operations in Gillingham and London.
Last summer, DG3 UK installed a HP Indigo 12000HD digital press at its London facility, with further investments incoming during 2019.
