Koenig & Bauer Durst’s VariJET 106 – first public showing is at drupa
Düsseldorf, Germany 29.05.24
Koenig & Bauer Durst is demonstrating important advances with its digital press systems and software services in folding carton and corrugated markets on its booth (A-31-1, Hall 16) at drupa in Dusseldorf, Germany. The VariJET 106 single pass press, which uses market-proven technology developed by Durst and Koenig & Bauer, is making its public debut at the show, with regular production run demonstrations.
Visitors to the stand can take away a variety of printed samples from the Koenig & Bauer Durst stand. These include applications for markets such as pharmaceuticals, health and beauty products, as well as food and beverage. At drupa, Koenig & Bauer Durst’s VariJET106 is being shown in a hybrid configuration linked to Koenig & Bauer’s industry acclaimed Rapida offset press technology and workflow. There are multiple production runs throughout the show. Latest die cutting and folding gluer technology is also being shown live at the Koenig & Bauer neighbouring booth.
The market-proven Delta SPC 130 used in corrugated markets – another family member in Koenig & Bauer Durst’s single pass digital sheet-fed press portfolio – is also an important focus at drupa. A control station will is set up on the stand to demonstrate how the Delta SPC 130 works in a production environment utilising Durst Workflow and Durst Analytics.
Koenig & Bauer Durst’s Delta SPC 130 and VariJET 106 systems feature in daily shows at 11.45am and 2.45pm in English. There are also demonstrations of folding box production shows together with Koenig & Bauer with the VariJET 106 at 10.45am and 4:30pm in English as well as at 2:00pm in German.
Game-changing industry firsts such as the announcement of printing on mainly brown substrates with water-based digital white are being shown. Koenig & Bauer Durst is the first company in the world to offer digital white ink for corrugated substrates in primary food packaging. This creates new possibilities in packaging, for example printing on plain brown or lower grade white boards.
Daniel Velema, Managing Director of Koenig & Bauer Durst, said: “Visitors to our drupa stand in Hall 16 can be assured of a warm welcome. The VariJET 106 – our major digital development in folding carton markets – is now a reality. See for yourself this highly versatile machine that will be running samples on a regular basis. Some of these have been produced in Switzerland by SCHELLING AG, one of our customer sites. We’re also showing game-changing industry firsts such as our breakthrough involving printing on mainly brown substrates with water-based digital white for corrugated substrates in primary food packaging.
All Koenig & Bauer Durst presses use water-based food-safe inks & coatings that comply with all regulatory requirements.
Die VariJET 106 von Koenig & Bauer Durst – auf der drupa zum ersten Mal öffentlich zu sehen
Benjamin Bösch: New Sales Director of Koenig & Bauer Durst
Würzburg, Germany 08.04.2024
Benjamin Bösch has been appointed to a newly created role of Sales Director for Koenig & Bauer Durst, a global market leader of single pass digital sheet-fed press systems and software systems for the folding carton and corrugated industry, in a strategic move to capitalize on growing folding carton and corrugated markets that are ripe for digital transformation.
Benjamin will be managing territories and working closely with sales departments within the Durst & Koenig & Bauer organizations. His wide remit will involve working closely with existing customers and sales teams and developing new sales strategies to add more value for Koenig & Bauer Durst in corrugated and folding carton markets.
Having originally trained at Stuttgart Media University, Benjamin began his working life in project management before moving over to sales roles 14 years ago. With more than 25 years’ experience in the printing and packaging industry, Benjamin joins Koenig & Bauer Durst from Landa where he had been regional manager for DACH.
“We welcome Benjamin with open arms into the Koenig & Bauer Durst family,” said Daniel Velema, Managing Director of Koenig & Bauer Durst. “Benjamin’s considerable experience in folding carton and corrugated markets will bring another layer of expertise as we continue to expand operations within digital printing in our core markets of corrugated and folding carton that are ripe for digital transformation. This appointment is an important strategic development as we continue to leverage the capabilities and know-how of our parent companies to offer an unrivalled portfolio of digital printing machinery that use water-based, food-safe inks that comply with all regulatory requirements.”
Keen road and mountain biker Benjamin, who is married and lives in Augsburg, said: “I am incredibly excited to be taking up this new challenge and am looking forward to meeting new colleagues and existing customers to bring value to corrugated and folding carton markets.”
The Koenig & Bauer Durst portfolio includes the CorruJET and Delta SPC 130 systems for corrugated markets, as well the jointly developed VariJET 106 press for folding carton markets.
The next SPC Open House is at the Durst Innovation Center East, Lienz, from 18-19 March. Contact your local partner or distributor for details. We look forward to welcoming you!
By Robert Stabler, Managing Director, Koenig & Bauer Durst
The landscape of digital production print is being defined by a challenging mix of geopolitical and financial events as well as industry specific trends.
That was among the key observations made by print consultant Sean Smyth at Print Matters – an annual conference, organized by Intergraf, the European association of the national print associations, and the Nordic Printing Association NOPA.
Dr Smyth went on to share a number of industry defining trends that print service providers should be aware of including:
These trends, and the technologies that respond to them, were explored in depth at Koenig & Bauer Durst’s recent SPC Open House on “Digital Transformation in Corrugated Packaging”.
It considered how digital technology, such as the Delta SPC 130 a single pass inkjet press, cost efficiently responds in an agile and flexible way.
And how it delivers a production environment that addresses demand for a greater number of SKUs, increased interest in regionalization, enhanced product life cycle management, and the ability to keep pace with ever-changing regulations.
Technology that quickly produces more shorter run, fast turnaround jobs per day.
Technology that comparison tests have shown saves €2.5m on digital addressable volume, eliminates process waste of up to 160k sqm of board and cuts time with the removal of steps associated with analogue printing such as platemaking.
Uptime and capacity is maximised by a global service organization that provides software and workflow support as well as remote diagnostics and telephone service.
Investment is fully supported with project management, prepress, application and operator training, as well as consulting and coaching.
Digital printing technology enables operational capabilities that respond to these defining trends. It also future proofs operations to be prepared for the fresh challenges that are undoubtedly around the corner.
Würzburg, Germany 10.01.24
Koenig & Bauer and Durst Group have committed to build further R&D capability in the joint venture company they set up almost five years ago to capitalize on the significant opportunities in folding carton and corrugated segments. The parent companies of Koenig & Bauer Durst GmbH will expand its operations in Radebeul, Germany.
Koenig & Bauer Durst is a global market leader of single pass digital sheet-fed press systems and software services for the folding carton and corrugated industry. It leverages the capabilities and know-how of its parent companies to offer an unrivalled portfolio of digital printing machinery that includes the CorruJET and Delta SPC 130 systems for corrugated markets, as well the jointly developed VariJET 106 press for folding carton markets. All presses use water-based food-safe inks & coatings that comply with all regulatory requirements.
Robert Stabler, who has run the joint venture company since its inception, will stand down as Managing Director. He will be succeeded by Daniel Velema, who will join Koenig & Bauer Durst in February 2024. Daniel has extensive domain experience in the printing industry and managing consultancy and has held various senior level management positions. In his last role, Daniel was General Manager of the Prepress activities at XSYS Global, a leading supplier of printing plates, sleeves and prepress equipment for the packaging industry.
Daniel Velema said: “I am really looking forward to joining Koenig & Bauer Durst, which was set up by two technology pioneers in the printing and packaging markets and has a growing presence in the industry. Corrugated and folding carton printers/converters continue to digitize their production environment to increase efficiency, flexibility and to provide a better service to brands and retail. In the long term, this leads to significant cost reductions. Koenig & Bauer Durst’s machinery, software and services offering is well positioned to support and accelerate our customers’ journey and I look forward to working together with our customers, partners and suppliers.”
Christoph Gamper, CEO and Co-owner of the Durst Group, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Daniel to Koenig & Bauer Durst to drive the company forward to the next stages of development. We see a huge opportunity to grow substantially over the next few years. Solid foundations have been laid with the successful launch of the VariJET 106 press, the most productive folding carton digital press on the market, as well as the adoption of our corrugated presses by some of the world’s most innovative and forward-looking corrugated companies. Robert has been instrumental in developing and leading the joint venture team that has developed high-end systems in fully automatic, industrial-scale production. We want to thank Robert for bringing the joint venture from an idea to a vibrant, standalone company.”
Ralf Sammeck, Koenig & Bauer Board Member and Sheetfed Segment CEO, said: “The spirit embodied by both companies in the joint venture continues to grow. Combining our strengths is driving digitalization in the packaging industry. In building on the initial foundations, we are increasing our capabilities in our R&D center in Radebeul, the headquarters of the Koenig & Bauer Sheetfed division. To take the joint venture to the next level, we are delighted to have appointed Daniel Velema as the new Managing Director from next February.”
Koenig & Bauer Durst expands its R&D capabilities at Koenig & Bauer’s Radebeul site.
Robert said: “Having led the joint venture company for almost five years, I have been proud to lead a committed team of professionals and establish ourselves as a real force in the industry. The fact that our two parent companies – Koenig & Bauer and Durst, two giants in packaging and printing – have committed to further R&D capabilities speaks volumes about the positive impact we have had in growing our presence significantly in corrugated and folding carton markets. These are ripe for digital transformation – and we have a growing customer base to prove that.”
He added: “I thank all staff, partners and our extremely loyal customer base who have shown unstinting as we have continued to grow and establish our global capabilities as a partner of choice across the world. Together with Daniel, there will be a significant handover period in what I am sure will lead to further success and profitability in the months and years to come.”
The Delta SPC 130 single-pass press has won a prestigious Pinnacle Award in the Print Printing United Alliance’s Pinnacle Awards, the most prestigious in the American printing industry!
“Unrivalled versatility, low maintenance requirements and 24/7 print output reliability” was part of the citation from judges.
The Delta SPC 130 single-pass digital printing system for corrugated cardboard applications uses water-based, food safe inks. It has revolutionized packaging printing with high efficiency and flexibility.
By Jochen Sproll, Business Development Manager, Koenig & Bauer Durst
How digital transformation is powering enhanced customer experience and revenue growth
Industry innovators are always in for a highly educational, informative and inspirational SPC Open House at the Durst Innovation Center East in Lienz, Austria. We always want to ensure that the content is both fresh and with latest ‘news’, both from ourselves and for the industry in general.
Our last event had a focus on “Digital Transformation in Corrugated Packaging”. It explored key drivers shaping production demand. It considered, too, how digital technology responds in an agile and flexible way while also ensuring cost efficiency.
Attendees were told how demand for digital printing in packaging is growing in response to the proliferation of SKUs, increased interest in regionalization, enhanced product life cycle management, and the ability to keep pace with the ever-changing regulatory environment.
The result is the need to produce more jobs per day, meet faster turnaround times, deliver shorter run lengths, and manage planning complexity. There is also greater expectation for food safety and circular economy capabilities.
Digital production aids profitability with lower costs for shorter runs, optimised production, reduced waste, and obsolescence. It also requires less working capital and future-proofs production with water-based inks. It elevates customer experience and revenue growth via optimised print and total costs while delivering improved value for the customer.
This is partly due to existing and new trends bringing run lengths down (currently the average run length is 5,000 to 6,000 sqm), better utilization of conventional technology, and clearer total cost of ownership calculation of existing production volume to explore whether an investment will pay off.
For example, when comparing SPC to flexo, the break-even was found to be between 6,500 and 8,500 sqm. Digital printing was cheaper to produce and increased overall production output by 50% and productivity by 25%. The cost saving on digital addressable volume was €2.5m and the payback on the investment in SPC technology was two to three years.
Digital’s ability to focus on automation and standardization of processes with few touch points aids the understanding and optimization of the total cost of supply chain for customers. The streamlined workflow powers smooth operation and delivers a number of production gains:
Digital production supports a collaborative, close working, customer experience with brands. Its ability to produce new test packaging, designs and campaigns quickly enables a better understanding of marketing objectives. It allows the cost effective production of smaller batch sizes and eases the move to supply chain management and partnership (different pricing models based on value of supply chain costs and not volume of boxes produced).
There is also the greater possibility of expanding a brand’s added value applications. In fact, 50% to 80% of volume over time is for new added value applications in the Koenig & Bauer Durst customer base. They include mass customization, sequential barcodes, new product offerings on uncoated board and, as mentioned before, test and promotional packaging.
Kärcher, known for its high-pressure cleaners, is one international brand that has moved the majority of its printing requirements to digital. In 2022, 52% of its jobs were digital compared to just 1% in 2015. As a result, it now benefits from simple data handling with pre-press, uniformed colour consistency, time savings in production without additional costs for printing plates, decreased quantities but increased variants and frequent layout changes due to constantly legal requirements.
Enabling brands to make this transition are operations like Schumacher Group. The family-managed company with sites across Europe registered a record month for production on its Delta SPC 130 in March 2022. In 28 days the press completed 226 jobs and printed 1,346,954.56 sqm. 73% jobs were produced without primer.
Koenig & Bauer Durst supports operations such as Schumacher with comprehensive prepress training (profiling, ink saving, embellishment), operator training (press efficiency, quality, maintenance), sales training (application training, product offerings), business knowledge transfer and a proven technology with most automated, productive, single pass water-based presses suitable for food packaging.
Koenig & Bauer Durst also delivers responsive service and customer care with remote diagnostics and telephone service as well as software and workflow support to ensure highest level of uptime.
Talk to Koenig & Bauer Durst or its partners discover more about how to introduce these business benefits, and more, by transitioning to digital production.
Make sure our next SPC Open House in Lienz on 27-28 September is in your diary!
By Matthias Krautgasser, Senior Product Manager, Koenig & Bauer Durst
That is one of the main takeaways from a white paper by Markus Witthaut, a senior scientist at Fraunhofer IML, Europe’s largest research organization covering all areas on logistics.
He said the benefits of digital printing are already there and will just become more and more relevant. He added: “Don’t wait. Go for digital printing now.”
The white paper on the complete supply chain management and logistics was created on behalf of Koenig & Bauer Durst.
It clearly showed digitization that comes with digital printing delivers benefits for converters and brand owners. Processes can be made faster by the quick exchange of information about new packaging designs, new print, as well as the status of the production order.
This approach delivers three major advantages for brand owners – the lead time is considerably quicker, design changes can be made rapidly and there is a greatly reduced risk of obsolescence.
These advantages can be very quickly introduced and capitalized on with the right software tools.
Efficient production with optimal results in the shortest possible time is delivered by the browser-based Durst Software Solutions. Durst Workflow combines data preparation, colour management and output preparation and allows multiple users with customizable permissions to work in parallel on the same database.
Production results are made more transparent by Durst Analytics. It gives users an at a glance overview of their printing systems via a web browser or an automatically generated email report. They can monitor production data such as material, ink consumption and productivity.
The complete processing of print orders and the sale of products and services is managed by the online Durst Smart Shop. The all-in-one solution digitizes and automates the sales and marketing process from the first customer contact up to the transfer of a print ready file to the production floor.
Individually or collectively these solutions can enable digital production to be responsively scaled up to meet demand.
They can also help generate increased profitability through the provision of the most highly automated and productive single-pass digital printing solutions on the market.
To discover more about how converters and brand owners can enjoy the benefits of digital print read the full white paper here: Supply-chain-improvements-with-digital-printing.pdf
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 GmbH
Friedrich-Koenig-Str. 4
97080 Würzburg
Germany
Phone: +49 931 909 0
Email: info@koenig-bauer-durst.com