Nine months ahead of celebrations for KBA's 200th anniversary, the company has started work on a new digital and flexo press demo centre in at the company's Würzburg.

Chairman Claus-Bolza-Schünemann and Christoph Müller who heads the Digital & Web and KBA-Flexotecnica subsidiaries laid a foundation stone this week.

The 6 million Euros, 2100 m² is the latest in a series of new buildings at the site, following a new logistics and design building in 2001, two new production halls in 2003 and 2008 and a new foundry in 2012.

In the presence of Würzburg mayor Christian Schuchardt, group board members, the architect, contractors and other guests, Bolza-Schünemann drew attention to the contraction of media-focussed print markets and the successful realignment of KBA Group concentrating on growth sectors such as packaging, digital and industrial functional printing. Some 70 per cent of the group's new press revenue is generated in the booming packaging sector.

The new demo centre will feature a RotaJET digital press for commercial, publication and decor printing, web and sheetfed flexo presses from late this year.

"With the widest portfolio of all manufacturers, we want to present our systems for these growth sectors live in action," Bolza-Schünemann said. "Many of our national and international customers want to see the presses being operated in action before they decide to invest. And of course, we hope that this substantial investment will have a positive impact on our business in these new markets for KBA."

Pictured: Claus Bolza-Schünemann emphasises the growing importance of packaging printing for KBA and (below) the new site directly adjacent to KBA's administration building