KBA and Xerox Provide Update on VariJET 106 at Graph Expo 16

ORLANDO, Fla. — September 27, 2016 — As digital printing continues its growth in the packaging industry, a trend has developed of traditionally conventional press suppliers partnering with digital suppliers to create solutions that offer the best of both worlds. Earlier this year, KBA and Xerox announced their plans to release a hybrid offset and inkjet press for the folding carton market — the KBA VariJET 106 Powered by Xerox.

During a press conference at Graph Expo that featured representatives from both Xerox and KBA, Maik Laubin, KBA’s VP of digital solutions, described the VariJET as "a Rapida with a digital heart." He explained that KBA’s experience in sheetfed offset and heavy penetration in the folding carton market, combined with Xerox’s knowledge and experience in inkjet, will be beneficial to this particular market segment.

According to Robert Stabler, senior VP of Xerox’s Graphic Communications Business Group, some of the major drivers in making the decision to develop a product like the VariJET 106 are the increasing quantity of short runs, growing demand of versioning in packaging and the need for increased uptime in the folding carton market.

Part of what makes the VariJET 106 an attractive option for package printers is that it is a customized solution, tailored to each converter’s needs, Eric Frank, KBA’s senior VP of marketing, said. The press features a modular construction that can allow converters to create a solution that is crafted exactly to their needs.

The expected commercial launch of the press is slated for 2018.