- Nine printing towers and three folders with extensive automation
- Investment in the future
- Koenig & Bauer as a dependable partner
- Commissioning in fourth quarter of 2020
The French printing house L´Est Républicain is investing in the future. And a brand new press hall is being built in Houdemont, near Nancy, to accommodate a Commander press line from Koenig & Bauer. It has been earmarked to replace two older Miller-Nohab presses. “We were convinced from the very first moment and are certain that the Commander is the perfect press for us. The quality and the technology are really impressive,” says Rémy Ramstein, industrial director for the EBRA Group, the parent company of L´Est Républicain. Koenig & Bauer will organise and realise relocation of the press from Belgium to France. At the same time, an additional web lead is to be added to the Commander to further optimise the customer’s production options. Jochen Schwab, head of service projects and contract management at Koenig & Bauer Digital & Webfed: “We have already demonstrated our ability to handle such large-scale projects reliably, competently and punctually on many occasions in the past. On the basis of our comprehensive after-sales service portfolio, we can guarantee the availability of spare parts and appropriately qualified technicians for many years to come, also in connection with possible requests for further conversion, expansion, retrofits or upgrades.” Dismantling of the Commander is to commence at the beginning of the coming year, and commissioning in the new press hall is already scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2020. An extensive training package is currently being discussed and will help to ensure a stable start-up by familiarising the operating and maintenance personnel with all aspects of the new press.
Investment in the future
EBRA prints up to 1.2 million copies daily at peak periods and concentrated production capacity to 4 printing plants in 2018. Rémy Ramstein is supported by 3 technical executive assistants: Eric Singer will be in charge of supervising the installation and operations in the new factory; Fabien Omhover is product project manager responsible for “re-inventing” the newspaper without changing habits of its readers; And Didier Genvo is coordinator for information Systems.
High level of automation and double quarterfold for maximum output
The Commander comprises a motorised Patras A reel-handling system, nine four-high towers for 4/4 production and three KF 5 jaw folders. The double quarterfold capabilities guarantee a high output with magazine formats and mailing-fold products. The comprehensive automation package with RollerTronic roller locks, a CleanTronic cylinder washing system, QIPC ink density and colour/cut-off register controls, and an automatic plate changing system, serves to reduce makeready times, waste, manual operating tasks and maintenance requirements to a minimum. The ABB console and MPS system also incorporate the latest hardware and software solutions.