Northprint was the platform chosen by Komori to announce the first European installation of a Project D press, at Image Data Group (IDG) in Willerby, East Yorkshire.


The Project D press is the first B1 machine from any manufacturer to be equipped with direct imaging technology. Shown at Drupa last year, it uses CreoScitex 830nm thermal imaging heads which are said to be able to produce no-process thermal plates in under four minutes per plate. The heads use the same SQUAREspot technology as in CreoScitexs CTP systems.


Chairman of IDG, Roger Birkin, originally saw the Project D press at Drupa, where he was "excited" by it. IDG already has six Komori presses, including four Lithrone 40 five or six-colour machines with coater.


IDGs short-run complementary output systems, as they are called, include a Xeikon digital web, an Indigo TurboStream digital sheetfed printer and a Heidelberg Quickmaster DI-46. "Were already recognised as specialists in the short-run multicolour market, and Project D will allow us to strengthen our position even further," said Birkin.


"Were delighted that the first Project D is to be installed in the UK and so close to our headquarters," said Komori UK MD Martin Rickards. Komoris original plan had been to beta test the press in the USA and Europe, but Rickards said that "extensive and satisfactory" production trials had allowed the rollout to be brought forward.


In a further announcement at Northprint, Komori UK revealed that its Tokyo-based parent has acquired the web offset manufacturing division of fellow Japanese press manufacturer Toshiba. The intention is to sell the 8, 16 and 32pp long- and short-grain Toshiba presses alongside the existing Komori range.


"Toshibas larger pagination press portolio is greater than ours, but with the combination of our technology and their presses we will be able to develop these further," said European web sales manager Tony Carter.


"This acquisition will also provide Komori with a quick in-road to markets where we are looking to establish our footing further, in particular the US," Carter said.


Carter said that although there would be casualties in terms of some Toshiba products, it was too early to state what these would be. "The joining of minds and the two design teams can only be of benefit to each of us," said Carter.


Carter also revealed that recent sales figures had indicated that some 75% of the last 18 months sales had been to new customers, showing that new sales fields were continuing to open up for Komori.


By Karen Charlesworth and Andy Scott at Northprint