KBA is to launch a new mid-range double-width press at IfraExpo, joining its best-selling compact series.

The conventional Commander CL is a modular four-high tower press with H-type printing units and a choice of automation levels. It joins the Commander CT and waterless Cortina, which the company says are selling particularly well in Germany, Scandinavia and Italy.

Inline coating in waterless coldset (with the Cortina) will also be a focus of its presentations at the Vienna newspaper trade event. Once again KBA will be sharing its stand with Indian partner The Printers House, whose single-width Orient presses target printers in threshold economies. 

KBA says its compact platform philosophy has been rewarded with the sale of 22 double and triple-width Commander CT press lines with a total of 106 towers. These include an Italian customer with a customised Commander CT with heatset capability.

A hybrid heatset/coldset version of its waterless counterpart, the Cortina – of which 18 4/1, 4/2 and 6/2 press lines comprising 84 towers have been sold so far – went live a few months ago in Sweden. The biggest Cortina hybrid press to date – consisting of 12 4/1 towers and four thermal dryers – is about to start up at ‘Gulf News’ in Dubai.