In recognition of the importance of KwaZulu-Natal as a South African economic hub and in response to clients’ requirements, Paarl Media has established a new web offset printing plant in Durban. In addition to employment creation and skills upliftment, this substantial investment will deliver a new standard of print service to businesses in the region.
“Geographic positioning is becoming increasingly important for differentiation and lower transportation costs, “explains Stephen van der Walt, CEO of the Paarl Media Group. “Our KZN operation will extend Paarl Media’s national footprint so that clients will be able to have their work printed in different locations on identical platforms, enabling the delivery of cost conscious products in the fastest time across the country.”
The plant has been built with the optimal layout to facilitate efficient production of magazine and commercial print work. This includes the implementation of fully automated processes and advanced technology throughout.
“In the pre-press area, the latest Prinergy Connect PDF Workflow and Kodak InSite soft proofing approval systems allow clients to send material electronically and sign off their final printers’ proof via a securitised website from anywhere, giving them control and ownership of their material,‘ explains Aaron Ganesh, the new General Manager of Paarl Media KZN. “Paarl Media was, in fact, the first organisation worldwide to have over 500 users of this efficient technology.”
Aaron adds, “Furthermore, the Luscher Xpose! Platesetters with plate handling system and unique violet laser technology ensure fast reproduction of plates to get material as quickly as possible to press.”
Printing is done by two 16-page manroland Rotoman presses, which offer quick make ready and speeds of up to 65 000 full colour copies per hour. They are equipped with innovative QuadTech register and ink control systems to guarantee consistent, accurate ISO certified colour throughout the press runs. In addition, the one press includes aqueous coating and sheeting capability, allowing magazine covers to be run in-line to improve delivery times. The Gammerler inline trimming system delivers most formats on the folding line. Both saddlestitching and square back binding facilities are available to complete the job onsite.
As part of the group’s commitment to limiting their impact on the natural resources, Megtec’s Dual-Dry® TNV Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser (RTO) technology has been installed on the web presses to eliminate emissions inline with stringent international standards. Energy is recovered from the oxidisation process to be re-utilised in the drying section, thereby vastly reducing gas energy consumption. Furthermore, a Hocker paper waste and dust extraction offers reliable, energy efficient operation for the collection of all paper waste for recycling.
Aaron joins Paarl Media with a wealth of relevant experience. He fulfilled various management roles in the Nampak Group, including the position of Regional General Manager and Divisional Director for the Nampak Cartons and Labels Division.
“Paarl Media’s business has been built around “making printing personal,” concludes Aaron. We look forward to delivering the same highly professional standard of service to our clients in KZN.”
The group’s Level Four BEE accreditation and value added service supplier status ensures that 125% of procurement spend with Paarl Media will apply towards the client’s own BEE scorecard.
