Koenig & Bauer Durst opens VariJET 106 customer center

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Ralf Sammeck, CEO of Koenig & Bauer Sheetfed, and Daniel Velema, Managing Director, Koenig & Bauer Durst in the new dedicated hall in Radebeul

 

  • Digital, offset and post-print customer demos & benchmarking on a single site
  • Exclusive insights and training provided for customers and prospects in new hall
  • VariJET 106 combines best of digital, water-based inkjet and conventional offset printing and finishing

 

Radebeul, Germany 14.01.2025

A unique opportunity to see and test digital, offset and post-print production on a single site is now a reality with the opening in Radebeul, Germany, of a dedicated hall for the VariJET 106, the hybrid press for folding cartons jointly developed by Durst and Koenig & Bauer.

Customers and visitors can now bring their own print files and substrates to see for themselves the flexibility, sustainability and cost-competitive opportunities afforded by Koenig & Bauer Durst’s VariJET 106 modular, single-pass press, which had its public debut at drupa. The 700 square meter hall is part of the global Customer Experience Center at Koenig & Bauer’s Sheetfed division headquarters, near Dresden, which is now part of the Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems (P&P) segment.

“The new dedicated hall for the VariJET 106 digital, hybrid press for folding carton markets represents another important step in our evolution,” said Daniel Velema, Managing Director, Koenig & Bauer Durst. “The opening means the Customer Experience Center is the one and only place where you can see and test digital, offset and post-print production at a single site. This is where prospects from all over the world can test the VariJET 106 for themselves using their own files and substrates. This ability to advise across print and finishing technologies is driven by our ambition to first and foremost understand & support your business needs & opportunities, and talk about technology second.

“We showed at drupa what is possible with full digital – digital printing, embellishment and finishing. Now we would like to show guests the next steps in the digital revolution for folding carton markets. Reach out to your local representatives, we would love to welcome you to Radebeul. For those who haven’t been there yet, the Koenig & Bauer Customer Experience Center – for press and machine demonstrations, application testing, the development of new technologies and for training purposes – focuses on specialized areas of packaging like folding carton, commercial and label production.”

Daniel added: “Ever since the VariJET 106 Customer Experience Center opened, Koenig & Bauer Durst has been running back-to-back print tests with customers and brands from all key geographies being represented: North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. We are particularly pleased by the interest of Asian customers who don’t shy away from making the trip to Germany!

“Successfully tested applications include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and food. We work closely together and explore hands-on what Koenig & Bauer Durst can improve to better meet market demands.”

The VariJET 106, which runs 5,500 B1 sheets per hour, combines the best of both worlds – digital inkjet and classic offset printing. The VariJET 106 uses water-based inkjet inks (CMYK plus orange, green & violet), primers & coatings to provide the highest print quality at a most competitive cost level, while supporting current and upcoming food safety and sustainability regulation. It leverages on Koenig & Bauer’s standard high performance Rapida 106 platform and Durst printhead electronics, inkjet expertise and Durst workflow and RIP technology. This includes Durst Analytics, Smartshop and Workflow.

Koenig & Bauer and Durst first announced they had joined forces and set up an independent joint venture company in 2019. The VariJET 106 is the first product jointly designed and developed by the two companies. Already in production and part of the Koenig & Bauer Durst portfolio are the Delta SPC 130 Series and the CorruJET 170 Series – aimed at corrugated packaging.

The VariJET 106 in the new dedicated hall in Radebeul

The VariJET 106 in the new dedicated hall in Radebeul

Koenig & Bauer Wins Best Folding Carton Case Study at Digital Packaging Summit

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  • Koenig & Bauer presented a user case study encompassing digital printing and the new digitalization including the new installations of the VariJET 106 from Koenig & Bauer Durst in Europe 
  • Attendees learned how current and future industrial digital printing technology, software and solutions will impact their business and investment decisions
  • Showcased the impressive capabilities of Koenig & Bauer’s RotaJET digital web-fed printing system, the myKyana digital ecosystem, and groundbreaking Connected Packaging solution integrating the brand, the converter, and the consumer

 

Chris Lyons, President/Publisher Packaging Impressions & PPC (far left) and David Pesko, Event Director of the Digital Packaging Summit (far right), present Sandra Wagner, Vice President Digitalization at Koenig & Bauer, and Stephen Sanker, National Sales Director for Digital Web at Koenig & Bauer (US), with the award for the Best Folding Carton Case Study at the Digital Packaging Summit in Florida

Koenig & Bauer is extremely proud to accept the first-place award for the best folding carton case study at the tenth annual Digital Packaging Summit, held in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL in early November 2024. Its two top executives – Stephen Sanker, National Sales Director for Digital Web at Koenig & Bauer (US), and Sandra Wagner, Vice President Digitalization at Koenig & Bauer – successfully delivered a very compelling folding carton case study to the summit’s senior managers and business executives who want to understand how current and future digital production printing technology, software and solutions will impact their business and investment decisions.

Stephen Sanker says: “This is our second win in three years. We felt that we made a huge impact with converters showing them the impressive capabilities of Koenig & Bauer’s digital portfolio including the VariJET 106 digital sheetfed printing system, RotaJET digital web-fed printing system, the myKyana digital ecosystem, and our groundbreaking Connected Packaging solution. Our presentation of a real-life application fostered a lot of questions and interest, opening dialogue about planning and strategy. We were able to demonstrate how Koenig & Bauer has set itself apart and offer very effective tools.”

During the three-day event, experts presented cutting-edge digital solutions that are transforming the packaging industry. Sandra Wagner was one such expert who presented an analysis of how digital printing can open up new possibilities for companies of all sizes. She also shared valuable insights into how Koenig & Bauer is leveraging the latest technology to drive innovation and enhance the customer experience. Both Sanker and Wagner conducted a series of popular one-on-one meetings. Their message to converters was to embrace the future of industrial scale digital production while forging stronger connections between brands and consumers.

Koenig & Bauer’s massive knowledge in sheet and web-fed solutions fueled application developments  in the folding carton segment offering unmatched industrial production volumes and brand level color surpassing all standards in the category. Its RotaJET high-speed industrial digital inkjet web press prints and produces with superior image quality, substrate versatility, and print volume. The VariJET 106 from Koenig & Bauer Durst integrates all the know-how and expertise by combining digital and offset so customers can have the best of both worlds for the ultimate hybrid printing system. The central customer portal, myKyana, offers data-driven productivity tools with real-time production data analysis to help to make smarter decisions faster for positive impact.

“This is a very important event on the digital packaging marketing calendar,” says Sandra Wagner. “It offers strategic-level insights into what printing and converting industry leaders should do to improve and optimize their business. We felt that the tremendous positive reaction we received from the attendees lets us know that we have the correct approach. The Digital Packaging Summit is the leading event for digital printing and digitalization.”

Interesting website: www.digitalpackagingsummit.com

Pure digital packaging production creativity with clever collaboration

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By Simon Lewis, Senior Vice-President, Marketing, Strategy &Business Development, Highcon Systems Ltd

 

Highcon Systems prides itself on being print agnostic.

We can digitally die cut all kinds of print. And we take pride in working with everybody who is driving the digital revolution, enabling faster job turnaround, radical economics and great print quality.

One of the companies we have been delighted to work with over the last few years has been Koenig & Bauer Durst, an important digital driver in the folding carton and corrugated space.

The power to inspire and unbox fresh new possibilities was perfectly demonstrated with Koenig & Bauer Durst and Scodix during drupa 2024.

The unique, in the moment, collaboration perfectly demonstrated how same-day turnaround pure digital production can quickly become a production reality.

The examples of how packaging can transcend the ordinary included a premium whisky box printed on the Koenig & Bauer Durst VariJET 106, digitally embellished with Scodix’s Ultra 6500 SHD machine and completed with our Beam 3 digital die-cutting system.

These were live demonstrations of a true digital production platform, which perfectly illustrated what converters can achieve for their own customers and the kind of new value propositions that are possible.

The result: transformation into a complete shelf-ready package.

There is no time like the present. Mainstreaming digital die cutting, embellishing and printing.

 

Giving dog food packaging the woof factor

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By Anthony Memme, Digital Print Manager, Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd

 

Traditional dog food packaging can be a little ruff and we want to give consumers paws for thought by shaking things up.

We are going to unleash some creativity with a plan to add the top 10 most common dog breeds to our customers’ packaging to bring a more customized experience to market.

It will be a howling success by enabling customers to feel more connected with their brands and helped increase loyalty.

The ability to quickly and easily create perfect personalized packaging is made possible by our Koeing & Bauer Durst Delta SPC 130 digital press system that uses food-safe water-based inks.

It empowers us to help brands to explore the impact of their approach in a scalable way while being able to adapt in response to immediate feedback.

Now we are very excited to be taking the lead to show we can help other brands forge stronger connections in Canada and further afield and be top dogs with their customers.

 

Delivering topline service with a hands-on approach

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By André Menge, Service Manager, Koenig & Bauer Durst

 

It’s been a whirlwind first three months in my new role as service manager for Koenig & Bauer Durst.

Coming from the semi-conductor industry, it was always going to be a steep learning curve. However, everybody has been so accommodating and welcoming as we continue to ramp up our service offering to our international customer base.

Everything is done with the customer always the prime focus. We strive for the highest possible standards and quality – all achieved through direct and open communications.

One of the highlights for me has been practical on-the-job training and meeting so many interesting people. It’s important to be ‘hands-on’ to expand my knowledge base.

Some people unaware of my job title at first were surprised when I wanted to do some practical maintenance during my initial two-week induction.

It’s not just pushing the button and being the voice at the end of a phone.

Having a close working relationship with the technicians who are on site and understanding the service tool is crucial.

My aim has been to soak up as much information as possible in the shortest possible time and get to know my colleagues from within Koenig & Bauer Durst, as well as colleagues from our two parent companies.

Helping to facilitate even better communication between all three companies is an important part of my role, as is visiting the customers to understand their requirements.

It is good to see how all the people are working so closely together. We are a great team!

 

 

Your digital journey: we’re here to support every step

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By Harald Kuenz, Head of Project Management & Service at Koenig & Bauer Durst

 

Starting in digital printing is not just about technology; it’s about transformation.

Digital production opens doors to new profitable opportunities like customization and barcoding, allowing brand owners and converters to respond to market demands with unprecedented speed.

However, this journey moving from one technology to another is not without its challenges. Shifting operational mindsets from traditional methods to digital approaches can be daunting.

Expanding the limited knowledge that often exists within organizations, and finding the right champions to advocate for this new direction, are hurdles many customers face. Additionally, the immediate pressure to increase volumes when digital capabilities are introduced can be overwhelming.

The process of installing a digital press for the first time is more complex than simply swapping out an old flexo or offset press. Many challenges arise when sales begin only after sign-off, pre-press isn’t adequately prepared for digital requirements, or when production steps aren’t adjusted to align with a digital press’s capabilities.

To address these frustrations, we’ve developed a holistic approach to support our clients every step of the way. This approach focuses on aligning end-to-end processes and ensuring that everyone involved is fully equipped and informed about what’s expected.

Our strategy emphasizes comprehensive training during both the project preparation and ramp-up phases. Here’s what we offer:

  • Pre-press & application training: Learn the ins and outs on our Delta SPC 130, either by visiting us in Lienz or, when offered, to a customer site.
  • Job transitioning: Master the skills to transfer jobs from flexo to digital smoothly.
  • Digital adaptation: Discover how to modify jobs to meet digital requirements.
  • Hands-on printing experience: Gain confidence yourself to print.
  • Best practices: Understand what works and what to avoid in digital printing.

We create tailored plans that reflect our customers’ realities and help them achieve their production goals. By doing so, we ensure the highest level of uptime and customer satisfaction.

At Koenig & Bauer Durst, we believe in the power of learning and feedback. We never stop improving our processes or exploring better ways of working together. Your insights are invaluable to us, and we are committed to evolving alongside our clients.

As you start your digital journey, remember that you’re not alone. With the right support and guidance, the transition can be seamless and fulfilling.

Together, we can navigate the challenges and celebrate the victories, ensuring that your venture into digital production printing is a resounding success

Press productivity – supporting our customers

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By Andreas Rogl, Application Engineer, Koenig & Bauer Durst

 

A comprehensive customer support approach is offered to all customers for our single-pass digital presses serving the corrugated and folding carton markets.

Digital enables production agility, managing short job runs, reducing time to market, and limitless customization. But for many it’s still a new and developing technology.

Here are the main points of how we help our customers in their digital journey:

  1. Pre-installation support: The process begins with pre-installation training and consultation, ensuring all team members are familiar with the new technology and its integration into existing workflows.
  2. Onsite optimization: Onsite visits focus on optimizing production workflows, including stack handling and paper quality, to enhance overall efficiency.
  3. Training and communication: Extensive training is provided for all relevant personnel to foster strong communication, enabling quick resolution of operational challenges. At one customer site, a dramatic productivity improvement resulted from comprehensive training programme given for all core staff, even for the operators.
  4. Key considerations for success:
    • Board quality: Our customers usually have a wide variety of paper and corrugated boards and, of course, tend to maximize cost savings. We help them to choose the best corrugated boards for the Delta SPC130 to save money and to achieve the best production output on the press.
    • Maintenance: As volumes grow, I’ve experienced some customers running three shifts on a 24-hour basis. Time for maintenance is limited. Therefore, we train our customers to perform maintenance in the most efficient way and to keep their uptime on the highest level.
    • Software and workflow optimization: Keeping software updated and grouping similar tasks can improve efficiency.
    • Cost efficiency: Strategies like optimizing ink usage and energy settings can reduce costs per m².
    • Communication: It’s essential that everybody who is involved in the operational processes around the Delta SPC130, from pre-press to operators, speaks the same language. We support them with knowledge transfer and training.
  5. Ongoing consultancy: Customer support extends beyond installation, with regular account reviews to address challenges, explore new opportunities, and stay informed about industry trends.
  6. Investment in knowledge: The partnership is positioned as a long-term investment, focusing on expanding clients’ digital knowledge and ensuring profitability.

Overall, the approach emphasizes a holistic strategy to maximize the capabilities of digital presses, ensuring clients can fully leverage their investments.

 

Sound out the rockstar of corrugated printing at TMV

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By Matthias Krautgasser, Senior Product Manager, Koenig & Bauer Durst

 

The corrugated printing market is evolving at breakneck pace. What worked yesterday will soon be outdated.

Your customers want everything, and they want it now. How will you keep up successfully?

The pressure isn’t just internal; it is external too: regulations, sustainability, environmental responsibility.

But this can be turned to your advantage. Meet the rockstar of corrugated printing!  The Delta SPC 130, the only machine flexible enough to keep up with the constant changes in the market.

I’ll be explaining our philosophy and market approach at next week’s TMV meeting in Seeheim on Monday Nov. 18th in the Spotlights starting 11:00 am.

My presentation, entitled “Stronger together for an answer to your needs”, will cover many topics. These will include small print runs, large formats, campaigns, promotions, fast turnaround times. Whatever the customer decides, the machine delivers.

Our entry-level Delta SPC 130 is the Core model, which provides your flexible entry into the world of digital printing. If small isn’t enough… think bigger!

The Delta SPC 130 grows with you. Automatic feeding, stacking, additional colours, primer, white, (digital water-based primer, and digital water based white) your production capacity grows with your demands.

The Delta SPC 130:  modular, expandable, adaptable, this machine can handle it all. We are very flexible, growing to your needs and cope with the challenges.

Talk to us and shape your future before someone else does!

VariJET provides perfect color match for brands

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By Maik Laubin, VP Sales, Digital Printing Solutions, Sheetfed Koenig & Bauer

 

The incredible versatility and capabilities of the VariJET 106 and benefits of hybrid production are answering the calls from brands for precise color matching in digital printing.`

Brands require color consistency with exact color matches to maintain identity across various media, as color variations can dilute brand recognition.

The opening of the new VariJET 106 Customer Demo Center in Radebeul allows potential clients from diverse sectors (cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and food & drink etc.) to see live printing, reinforcing confidence in the technology for folding carton markets.

Coating and finishing units can be flexibly configured before and after the digital printing unit to realize a variety of inline finishing options. Customers pay a particular interest in the double-coater configuration of our VariJET.

They also like the preciseness in terms of printing fine lines and small text, as well as barcodes. Variablility and serialization are something to be explored and are only manageable with our software cost efficiency.

That is why we are so proud to have Durst’s software supporting the VariJET, which is established with over 1,000 systems globally, contributing to high productivity and reliability.

With declining run lengths and demands for faster times to market, there’s a shift towards hybrid solutions combining digital and offset printing, which the VariJET complements effectively.

Increased visitor interest at the Demo Center indicates strong demand for testing capabilities and hands-on experience with the technology.

Overall, the VariJET 106 is positioned as a cutting-edge solution for brands seeking consistent color quality and efficient production in packaging

Koenig & Bauer is convinced that the VariJET digital and Rapida offset technologies are a perfect, complementary match for hybrid production.

I urge you to visit us in Radebeul to test files you bring and print on your own substrates. You’ll be amazed at the advances we have made in folding carton production in such a short time.

A catalyst for corrugated change

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By Jeff Wettersten, VP Packaging, Keypoint Intelligence

Historically digital printing has been positioned to address high graphics on white corrugated board. The technology was ideally suited to only around a third of the market – until now.

The introduction of water based inks, and the ability to print white ink on kraft, is an industry step change that addresses the other two thirds of the market.

It will accelerate adoption and promotion of digital print throughout the market place.

It will deliver great value to not only to the corrugated converter but the brand as well.

It will be a catalyst, or a potential catalyst, for driving this market forward.

One sector where its application could have a significant impact is food and beverage when you begin to look at retail ready packaging that goes on the shelf.

When using kraft you need image quality that delivers. It brings kraft back into play as a lower cost alternative for many applications within the retail environment. And it will extend well beyond food and beverage into industrial markets as well.

Sustainability will also come into play. The availability of white ink, and white ink printed on kraft, will be a positive sustainability message for both brands and converters.

You are no longer using a proprietary material around chemi or bleached white where that sustainability is not a positive as kraft. It will also have an impact within the recycling and waste stream due to de-inking and reclaiming the native kraft fibres.

Converters need to begin to gravitate towards digital printing. It delivers a competitive differentiation in the market place.

We are very optimistic, as are the brands, about the future of digital print.

 

Koenig & Bauer Durst GmbH
Friedrich-Koenig-Str. 4
97080 Würzburg
Germany

Phone: +49 931 909 0
Email: info@koenig-bauer-durst.com

Koenig & Bauer Durst: digital packaging printing

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Koenig & Bauer Durst: digital packaging printing

Koenig & Bauer Durst GmbH
Friedrich-Koenig-Str. 4
97080 Würzburg
Germany

Phone: +49 931 909 0
Email: info@koenig-bauer-durst.com

CONTACT
CAREERS
LEGAL NOTICE
DATA PRIVACY STATEMENT
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS