The KM-1 was first shown this time last year in concept form at Drupa. It uses Konica Minolta’s own UV inkjet technology, and a press chassis from Komori. It can now print on thicker stock of up to 0.6mm thickness when simplex printing. The previous maximum was 0.45mm, which remains the limit when in perfecting mode. The 1,650sph press can also print onto difficult substrates, such as textured grades. Konica Minolta business technologies manager Kazuyoshi Tanaka said the firm had been working on further enhancing the quality of the print output since Drupa. “Large commercial printers are our first target,” he said. “They can expand their business using this technology. From books to packaging and beyond, the potential is immense and really diverse. “We want to go-to-market as soon as possible,” he added. PrintWeek understands Konica Minolta held a number of high-level meetings with potential customers for the press at the show. The next public outings for the KM-1 will be at the Print 13 show in Chicago in September. Konica Minolta is also set to be the largest exhibitor at Ipex 2014....

Under the agreement, expected to be concluded by the summer, all staff employed by Pitney Bowes Management Services across the UK and the Republic of Ireland will transfer to the employment of Swiss Post Solutions (SPS), the business document management division of Zurich-headquartered Swiss Post Group. SPS, which has its UK headquarters in Richmond upon Thames, will take over “a number of facilities” including a secure mail-screening centre and a document processing and production site as part of the deal. The company already operates in more than 20 countries with its core markets being the US, Germany and the UK. The acquisition will give SPS access to a blue-chip client list, to complement its existing UK portfolio, particularly in financial services and the public sector. SPS chief executive Frank Marthaler said: “With this acquisition we further strengthen our market position in the mailroom and document management area. “Through the synergies created we will increase our profitability in one of our core markets, and this will allow us to invest even more in innovative solutions to bridge the gap between physical and electronic information...

The new loop.40 cleaning system applies centrifugal forces to clean the dampening solution, collecting polluting media fibres, ink and paper coatings at the rim of a change container which can then be emptied. The vendor reported that depending on the type of paper used, up to 1.5kg of solid dirt could be separated inside the centrifuge within 24 hours, ensuring dirt does not enter dampening pans. Dispensing with consumables to perform this process enables printers to reduce their environmental footprint, cut costs and reduce downtime, said Jamie Boggis, sales, key accounts at Technotrans. “With conventional systems, every time the system is run, the printer is paying for those consumables and then for them to be disposed,” he said, adding: “This system is particularly relevant to those working with substrates that degrade easily, so typically uncoated papers.” Boggis said that the system costs around £21,000 and that the company was in talks with four or five potential beta testers of the product and had already quoted on half a dozen systems....

The 210,000-plus circulation weekly has a stringent, time-critical production regime. It is produced at the group’s Wyndeham Peterborough site, which is geared up to produce fast-turnaround, time-sensitive products. The Economist is printed on the plant’s two Manroland Lithoman IV 72pp web presses, followed by high-speed stitching on its Ferag and Muller Martini Tempo lines. Economist Group production manager Simon Maggs praised Wyndeham for the firm’s “unrivalled understanding of our requirements”. He said: “The Economist demands high standards in print and production while achieving a very challenging distribution schedule. I expect they [Wyndeham Peterborough] will continue to deliver to our high expectations.” Despite the long-standing relationship between the publisher and printer, PrintWeek understands the Economist team carried out a thorough evaluation of alternative print suppliers before deciding on the renewal. The deal means Wyndeham will continue to print the title until at least April 2017. Wyndeham Group chief executive Paul Utting said: “We’re very pleased and this is great news. It shows there is a place for quality, service and reliability. “The Economist ensures we are regularly tested to deliver on time, every time. This contract extension demonstrates our client’s confidence in Wyndeham Group and provides a solid foundation for the Peterborough site.” Under separate contracts Wyndeham also prints the Economist’s Intelligent Life glossy, and ‘The World In’ titles....

The 210,000-plus circulation weekly has a stringent, time-critical production regime. It is produced at the group’s Wyndeham Peterborough site, which is geared up to produce fast-turnaround, time-sensitive products. The Economist is printed on the plant’s two Manroland Lithoman IV 72pp web presses, followed by high-speed stitching on its Ferag and Muller Martini Tempo lines. Economist Group production manager Simon Maggs praised Wyndeham for the firm’s “unrivalled understanding of our requirements”. He said: “The Economist demands high standards in print and production while achieving a very challenging distribution schedule. I expect they [Wyndeham Peterborough] will continue to deliver to our high expectations.” Despite the long-standing relationship between the publisher and printer, PrintWeek understands the Economist team carried out a thorough evaluation of alternative print suppliers before deciding on the renewal. The deal means Wyndeham will continue to print the title until at least April 2017. Wyndeham Group chief executive Paul Utting said: “We’re very pleased and this is great news. It shows there is a place for quality, service and reliability. “The Economist ensures we are regularly tested to deliver on time, every time. This contract extension demonstrates our client’s confidence in Wyndeham Group and provides a solid foundation for the Peterborough site.” Under separate contracts Wyndeham also prints the Economist’s Intelligent Life glossy, and ‘The World In’ titles....