The company bought the twin-engine duplex colour machine to boost its book, direct mail and catalogue offering.

The investment was made through Screen’s New Zealand distributor, Fujifilm. It makes Astra the first company in the ANZ region to deploy the press. The machine has been configured at right-angles on Astra’s floor to conserve space.

While the press was purchased primarily for its book printing abilities, Astra is ultimately pushing towards an expansion of its newspaper production capabilities.

Astra chief executive Steve Messenger said: “Shorter, cost-effective print runs on behalf of publishers deliver a distinct competitive edge, environmental benefits and dynamic service levels to our customers.

“Perhaps the best aspect of our investment in the 520 is that it enables us to deliver a compelling economic model to our customers. As a long-established supplier to the offset litho industry, Screen does not charge a ‘click’ for each page that runs through the press.

“So, as with our offset presses, our costs are a known quantity. We buy paper, ink, power and finance costs, we have a service and parts agreement, and the rest is under our control,” he added.

The 520 will be used with Astra’s Challenge three-knife trimmer and Ibis Smartbinder, as well as its finishing equipment from Hunkeler and CP Bourg.

Screen Australia managing director Akira Hayakawa said: “We are excited by the forward-looking and innovative vision of Astra Print.

“While this is the first in the Oceania region, together with all versions, there are now around 200 Truepress 520s operating throughout the world – more than any other similar supplier,” he added.

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