A new press is promised for DRUPA next May.
The two companies say they will develop, manufacture and sell next generation piezoelectric digital inkjet printing solutions for the packaging, securities, commercial, and newspaper segments. RR Donnelley will license its Apollo and other digital imaging technologies to KBA which will incorporate them into its press offerings.
Donnelley president and chief executive Thomas J. Quinlan III says both companies have long been leaders and innovators in their respective industries: “We look forward to having the combined R&D resources of nearly 1000 engineers and imaging scientists bring forward the next generation of digital imaging technologies.
“This relationship will benefit the customers we serve today and enable RR Donnelley innovations to be introduced to customers in segments that we do not yet address.”
His opposite number at KBA, chief executive Helge Hansen says the company spent the last 18 months assessing current and future digital printing technologies from around the world in a bid to expand “the industry’s broadest product range”.
“In our analysis, it was clear that RR Donnelley was uniquely positioned to partner with us from a digital print technology, experience, and scale perspective.
“It’s more than a sales and service agreement for existing technology. We look forward to jointly reinvigorating this industry with new digital imaging platforms.”
Donnelley is the world’s biggest print group, working with more than 60,000 customers worldwide through facilities in four continents.