Although the focus was mainly packaging sheetfed, Koenig & Bauer reported press sales from the ExpoPrint in São Paulo, Brazil.

The German maker already has a purchaser for the six-colour-with-coating Rapida 105 that was the star of its show, destined for Grafica Rex in Rio Grande do Sul, and sales of several similar presses were reported.

Interest in print was palpable, with queues forming in front of the maker’s stand during the distribution of print samples and posters (pictured).

Koenig & Bauer also pushed its ‘trusted advisor’ approach, with the highest number of specialised technicians per installed machine in Brazil, protecting businesses from unplanned downtimes.

Brazil chief executive Paulo Faria says this strength in service has generated important new press business in the past, and continued to do so at ExpoPrint. “When we reduce make-ready times to just a few minutes whilst simultaneously offering the densest service network in the country, we transform production bottlenecks into genuine competitive advantages for our customers. That is the core of a true partnership.”

He reported discussion on tailored concepts in digital printing, half-format and large-format printing, as well as comprehensive postpress technology.

An exclusive VIP event for managing directors and decision-makers met with extraordinary interest, with a focus on how printers can successfully position their business models for the future, and contributions from Dietmar Heyduck, Markus Weiss, and Dirk Winkler.