Triple KBA Press Order Replaces Heidlebergs

Alito Color Group and Oaktree Press, due to merge on November 1, have announced a £10 million ($18m) development which, they say, will set a new benchmark for UK commercial print.

Alito Color Group and Oaktree Press, due to merge on November 1, have announced a £10 million ($18m) development which, they say, will set a new benchmark for UK commercial print.

The group will operate from a new purpose-designed 40,000 square foot (3,700 square metre) factory in north east London, which is being equipped with a trio of KBA Rapida sheetfed presses serviced by the latest Densitronic S density and spectral imaging controls, CIPlink networking and Rapidkut reel sheeting.

The package includes two Rapida 105 universal long perfectors, a 10-colour SW5 and an eight-colour SW4 and the latest Rapida 105 six-colour press with coater and board facility - the press premiered at Drupa 2004 and the first of the new-style machines to arrive in the UK.

At present the companies produce from three sites: Islington, Romford and Rotherhithe.

The KBA press package replaces four B1 Heidelberg presses - a 10-colour, two eight colours and one six colour.

Also in the impressive plant list will be two Creo Lotem systems, two stitching lines, cutting systems, six folding machines and a Scitex personalisation line taking B1 duplex.

"We wanted to begin with as much new equipment as possible.

This is the perfect opportunity, enabling us to give our clients, both existing and potential, a one-stop solution to their commercial print and direct mail requirements," said Terry Brady, chairman of the new Alito Group.

With both companies well known as established Heidelberg users the obvious question was - why KBA? "KBA impressed us not only with their equipment but also with their professionalism.

We believe we have chosen well and that KBA will give us the support this exciting venture needs," said Stephen Hems of Oaktree, who with Les Newnham, will be joint managing directors of the enlarged Alito Group.

The new group will have a turnover of around £15 million with the potential and capacity to double that amount it said.

The three principals in the business have a collective print industry experience of over 120 years and said they are putting their faith in people, plant and potential.

Sharing the enthusiasm of the partners are the two sales directors, David Collins from Alito and Graham Skeates from Oaktree.

"The new Alito Color Group is going to be ahead of the game.

We are naturally delighted to be chosen as the major supplier to this important new company and to see one of the very latest pieces of KBA advanced technology - the new Rapida 105 - arrive in this country.

Alito will also enjoy the Rapidkut reel sheeter which breaks new ground as it was designed on a 'hovercraft' principle to move swiftly on an air cushion between the two new long perfectors," commented KBA (UK) managing director Christian Knapp.

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