Melbourne catalogue printer Franklin Web showed its new 80-page manroland Lithoman press to more than 150 clients, suppliers and friends at an open house last month.

Ordered last year, the highly-automated press arrived in Australia in January and has been running since Easter.

With the emphasis on speed – the company had two V8 supercars and their drivers at the event – the press was run up to its top speed of more than 16 metres/second, the clock showing 200,000 cph.

The evening was hosted by TV and radio comedian John Blackman, and included contributions from manroland Australia managing director Steve Dunwell and Franklin chief executive Phil Taylor.

The company says the “rather large investment” elevates its already impressive catalogue production facility to a new level of quality and speed.