Press maker KBA says the sale of a triple-wide Commander CT to prominent printer Koninklijke BDU reaffirms its strong position in the Dutch newspaper market.

The compact, high-automation press – comprising four four-high towers, four reelstands and a KF 5 jaw folder, with the option of later additions – will replace a 1998-vintage KBA Journal and substantially expand capacity.

It will have a maximum web width of 1734mm and an 830mm cylinder circumference, allowing short-grain production of the Nordic format.

Conventional tabloid products can be run as broadsheets with a classic book structure.

The press will have a maximum rated output of 94,000 full-colour 48pp copies in straight production or 47,000 96pp copies collect.

Four Pastomat reelstands will be embedded in a Patras A automated reel-logistics system. The high level of automation is reflected in its automatic plate changing, roller locks, colour-register controls, ink pumping and washing systems. Two ErgoTronic consoles will be networked with PressNet production scheduling and presetting software and will incorporate waste and time-saving EasyTronic software.

Founded in 1871, BDU was awarded the honorary title of Koninklijk (or royal) at its 125th company jubilee in 1996. Last year this family enterprise celebrated its 140th anniversary. The publishing house and printing plant are integrated in Koninklijke BDU Holding.

Regional titles reach more than 650,000 Dutch households, with each title having its own website. BDU has also made a name for itself as a contract printer, with the Barneveld operation handling over 60 products for an ever-increasing number of external publishers, including ‘Metro’, ‘Reformatorisches Tageblatt’ and the ‘Lux’ supplement for ‘NRC Handelsblad’.

The printing plant posts annual sales of more than €24m ($30.4m), with more than two-thirds generated by contract work.