In nearby Hall 3, IPRIS ZAO, the agents for the group's Czech subsidiary KBA-Grafitec, is to show the A2 sheetfed offset press Performa 66 and a Performa 74 for the B2 format, both in conjunction with CtP prepress.

The four-colour Rapida 74 with coating tower and extended delivery can be seen printing a variety of poster images on paper substrates at speeds up to 18,000 sheets/hr. It has been configured, among other features, with links to both the production management system KBA Logotronic and the density and colour measurement system KBA Densitronic S. The compact five-colour Genius 52 will be demonstrating its handling of high-quality commercial print in waterless offset.

On the 350 m² stand of St. Petersburg-based IPRIS ZAO, visitors will be able to experience for themselves the attractive price-performance ratio of the Performa 74, on this occasion a four-colour version. Designed for a maximum sheet format of 52 x 74 cm, the press is equipped with a GrafiControl control console with CIP4 interface. The accompanying five-colour Performa 66 (print format 48.5 x 66 cm), which similarly features a CIP4-compatible GrafiControl control console, will be spotlighting an inking unit temperature control system and an INKDRY dryer. The plates for both presses are to be produced by a Presstek Dimension Excel 425 CTP platesetter.

Very many of the estimated 1,500 print companies in Russia are still working with very old presses – presses which are frequently no longer able to match today's demands regarding quality and cost-effective production. The process of modernisation begun in the Russian print industry in the mid-1990s is gathering further momentum, however, and has also brought KBA numerous orders for sheetfed and web presses in recent years. Since the founding of its subsidiary KBA RUS in 2003, KBA has been able to further expand its traditionally high market share in Russia, especially in the sheetfed offset segment. It has become noticeable in this connection that in the medium format, in particular, demand is shifting increasingly to more complex press configurations with comprehensive inline finishing or perfecting options. And there are already takers in Russia for the revived superlarge format in the form of the KBA Rapida 205.

KBA RUS is to demonstrate ultimate quality in commercial print on a four-colour Rapida 74

The KBA Performa 74, as a very attractively priced entry-level half-format press, is to be a centrepiece on the stand of KBA-Grafitec agents