A grand total of 13 trucks, among them massive wide-load trailers and low-loaders, were needed to convey the 70,000cph 16pp press to Düsseldorf from KBA’s factory in Trennfeld near Würzburg.

KBA engineers had just four days to offload and place the entire press line, which measures 50 m long by 13m wide, plus a 13 m by 3.4m Vits Rotoline hot-air dryer.

Since the press must be ready to print by the beginning of May, erection and commissioning must be completed in the record time of three weeks.

To meet this deadline, KBA planners have deployed a 21-strong team of fitters and engineers who will be supported by staff from Müller Martini, Vits and other alliance partners.

The biggest exhibit on the stand, the Compacta 217 will be followed by 10 sheetfed and DI offset presses ranging from a 46 Karat SRA3 and Genius 52 B3 press to a new-generation Rapida 105 B1 press and a Rapida 205 SLF printing unit.

Seven sheetfed presses will be demonstrated on KBA’s 3,500 sq m stand, two by Marks-3zet in hall 3 and one, a Genius 52 UV press, by the company’s new subsidiary, Metronic, in hall 11.

Prior to opening day hundreds of metres of cables must be laid and banks of computers, monitors, lamps, video and PA systems installed in preparation for the press and printshop networking demonstrations.

Following the erection of the two-storey facilities building, which offers seating for more than 300 on the first floor, exhibition staff will take up their positions ready to launch into action under KBA’s drupa banner, “People & Print: Driving Advances – Together”.

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