Blue Star Group, a division of ASX listed IVE Group is investing $12m in a new heatset manroland Rotoman DirectDrive press, due to be installed at Blue Star Web in Silverwater next November.
Blue Star Web general manager Darryl Meyer tells Australian Printer the heatset web offset press replaces an outdated press installed in the premises back in 2002.
The investment is a continuation of IVE’s strategy to remain at the forefront of technology and is expected to boost automation, productivity and quality for the company.
Meyer says, “We produce product of the highest quality which has enabled us to continuously expand our market offer with new technology to stay at the top of our industry.
“For us, it is about being able to create better opportunities for our customers by more added value via speed to throughput.”
This year, Blue Star Web was the first Australasian printer to install the latest technology ten colour perfecting plus coating low energy UV Heidelberg sheetfed press.
Blue Star is considered a major player in the domestic heatset web offset market. It produces and distributes many of the nation’s biggest magazine titles such as Harpers Bazaar, OK Magazine, Inside Sport, Gourmet Wine and Rolling Stone.
The move comes as rivals IPMG and PMP look to merge, which will result in some of their older presses being taken out.
Managing director of manroland Australasia, Steve Dunwell adds, “Blue Star Web is always one step ahead and the new Rotoman DirectDrive press with its ground breaking technology from manroland contains the most advanced automation and operating systems of any 16pp press in Australia allowing them to do just that.
“The press has an array of automation features enabling non-stop make-readies, low start up waste utilising full autoprint functionality and exceptional high output speed to deliver world class operational performance.”
Meyer says the new investment is an exciting project for the company and expects it will boost staff morale.
“Our business has a very strong performance culture,” he says. “It is a great thing for our staff to be a part of it to learn new skills on new gear.”
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