Komori Europe web specialist Tony Carter talks about the state of play in web offset printing.
"Komori is often underrated as a major player in the web market but has remained the world's number one supplier of 16-page and 32-page commercial web presses for many years, with a global installation rate currently running at over 20 presses a year, so we feel well placed to provide insight on the current web marketplace.
This market has undoubtedly undergone considerable change over the last 10 years. True, the overall market for web print is somewhat smaller than it was. But conversely, there are fewer players in the market, there's more short-run web work, and technology has advanced. So web printers can operate on a level that is commercially attractive for them and for their customers.
The winners are the web houses utilizing streamlined, versatile technology equipped to handle the booming shorter run market and, at the same time, cater to the equally demanding long-run publishing and direct mail business.
For those in doubt about the stability and potential of the web market, witness Komori web printers as far afield as Spain, Turkey, Norway, Latvia and the UK who have experienced growth sufficient to add further commercial web presses to their production portfolios over recent years.
Because of Komori's strengths and wealth of experience across diversified print markets, our R & D activities have continued relentlessly despite economic fluctuations around the world. Indeed, Komori continues to be at the forefront of technological breakthroughs.
A shining example is the outstanding Komori H-UV fast curing system, where we can genuinely boast the adage: we lead, others follow! Orders for more than 900 sheetfed presses incorporating this proven energy-saving instant drying process have already been received, and H-UV has now been developed by Komori for our web systems. The effects are revolutionary — the most significant being the total elimination of any need for a hot air dryer.
Seventeen web systems equipped with in-line H-UV curing are already installed in Japan, providing a myriad of previously unattainable benefits, including instant drying on both sides of the sheet without paper expansion, contraction or distortion. Print quality and print appeal are enhanced, and the footprint is the same as for a B1 eight-color sheetfed long perfector.
Those already printing with System G38 H-UV equipped web presses will agree that its productivity enables them to challenge markets once the domain of the sheetfed printer. It provides a true bridge between sheetfed and conventional web offset print and really stands as an example of the Komori ideal of Innovate to Create."

Tony Carter

Tony Carter has been with Komori since the formation of Komori Europe in 1984, operating first as service manager, then progressing into web sales for Komori across the European continent and beyond, gaining an enviable wealth of experience along the way. Now Komori Europe's Director of Distributor Sales covering the full Komori range, he additionally continues to be regarded as Komori's European web guru. So, his views on the web market carry unprecedented authority.