KBA North America is to upgrade controls on a KBA Comet press at the Times News in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, after beating competition from the maker of the original system.

Publisher Fred Masenheimer says there was a choice between KBA and the company which had supplied the non-KBA system: "After careful evaluation, we awarded the project to KBA. We decided to eliminate the interdependency of two companies to solve future press problems and put that responsibility in the hands of a single vendor.

The contract calls for replacement and upgrade of press computers and software, as well as other enhancements which will provide for increased capabilities and allow the company to handle new projects more efficiently.

Masenheimer says the decision gave them confidence they would be able to maintain their 24/ 7 printing operation - handling the daily newspaper, eight weeklies and commercial printing including another daily - with the least interruption.

KBA North America customer service director Stefan Prohaska says demand for service has increased: "Service sales with retrofits, repairs, upgrades, relocations, consulting and training are rising continually," he says. "Long-term service and maintenance contracts are on the rise."

Pictured: Lehigton plant manager Len Alabovitz (left) and KBA North America's Claus Jaeger (right) with the Lehighton press and operators