• Replacing two older presses for new highly-automated large format press
• Will expand into additional board packaging work with new Koenig & Bauer press
• California trade and packaging specialist relies on Koenig & Bauer’s high level of engineering and craftsmanship

Over the last several months, Foster Printing has witnessed continued high growth especially in its food packaging niche as the current pandemic requires this essential need and is prompting robust demand. A new Rapida 164 six-color 64-inch press has been delivered to Foster’s 46,000 sq ft facility where it will replace two older large-format presses and begin production this month.

“Our new Rapida 164 will certainly expand our production capabilities,” says Kris Blackburn, vice president of sales for the company. “It will provide 50% more capacity along with new unique technology all at a maximum speed of 15,000 sph. While our business plan hasn’t pinpointed exact efficiency and productivity data, we know the press will deliver sizable robust numbers and will reduce our makeready times by 20%. We wouldn’t think of moving into a mid-size press range. Our Koenig & Bauer large-format press size has always been perfect for us.”

Indeed over the past decade Foster has always placed orders for Koenig & Bauer large format machines including the unique Rapida 205 81-inch press—the largest in the world. Blackburn says that the firm will continue to run the 205 in tandem with the new 164.