Installations and investments
FRIESENS BOOSTS TECHNOLOGY WITH
HEIDELBERG PUSH TO STOP
Friesens is North America’s premier book, yearbook and packaging manufac-
turer, serving publishers, institutions, schools and businesses from its two
major facilities in Altona, Manitoba. The most recent addition to its equipment
lineup is a Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75-5+L Print and Coating Machine. It’s
equipped with the latest Push to Stop technology, which includes Inpress
Control 2 automatic colour and register measurement, Auto Plate Pro fully-
automated plate loading, and automated wash programs. This technology is
driven by Intellistart 2 press software, activated through the Press Center XL
with Wallscreen. With this technology, the press is capable of processing jobs
autonomously, while the operator simply oversees the printing process. This
Speedmaster XL 75 is the first mid-size press in a plant that’s dominated by
VLF equipment, and it replaced a Heidelberg CD 102.
Speaking with Director of Procurement and Administration Andrew Fennell,
and GM Byron Loeppky, we asked about the reasoning for downsizing to this
format. “This press will be predominantly used for book covers,” said
Loeppky, “and when we analyzed the business, 80% of the forms would fit
the 23" x 29" format. As far as the other 20% we can simply run a few more
sheets to make up for the smaller layout. It’s a short-run market.”
Press Operator Jorge Caceres in front of the Speedmaster XL 75-5+L Print and Coating
Machine console.
“We may have downsized the for