KBA Spends EUR40m On Global Equipment And Plant

KBA is investing over EUR40m (US$51.5m) in new equipment, plant and buildings at its production sites in Germany and internationally.

KBA is investing over EUR40m (US$51.5m) in new equipment, plant and buildings at its production sites in Germany and internationally.

The biggest project, part of a continuing upgrade of the Wurzburg (Germany) plant, is the reconstruction of the large-component production hall 105 years after it was first built and 60 years after its destruction in the Second World War.

Over the last few months, with production continuing underneath, a new roof was erected above the 220-metre (722 foot) central section and the existing roof removed to raise the height from 11 metres (36 feet) to 16 metres (52 feet).

That was followed by the installation of five roof cranes, each capable of lifting 20 tonnes (22 US tons).

Following completion, which is scheduled for the end of the year, the new 6,000 square metre (64,600 square foot) hall will combine production technology with what KBA described as optimum working conditions.

However, the demolition and disposal of the existing central section and the commissioning of new measuring facilities, for instance, will have to be completed.

A topping-out ceremony was held yesterday and in the words of KBA executive vice president of production, Dr Frank Junker, the investment, which includes a total refurbishment that will provide substantial efficiency gains in the manufacture and quality assurance of major components, such as side frames for printing units and folders.

Dr Junker added that an optimised materials flow with shorter storage times and greater flexibility in space utilisation afforded by a combination of extra headroom, wider spaced pillars and higher crane capacities, will enable the company to streamline production and maintain an edge in a fiercely competitive market.

He emphasised the fact that KBA, the largest and oldest industrial enterprise in and around Wurzburg, saw the investment as a reaffirmation of its commitment to the area, where over 2,000 of KBA's 8,300 employees are involved in the manufacture of newspaper and telephone directory presses and reel stands.

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