Since GAMAG and WIFAG Maschinenfabrik AG only recently signed a cooperation contract to work the global printing machine market together in terms of the modernization, modification and retrofitting of web printing presses, this order from Lahti in effect launches the partnership cooperation.

Esa Lehtipaino Oy will purchase a KBA Express that is currently located at Kaleva Oy in Oulu. This machine will be completely reconfigured and then installed in Lahti following a comprehensive retrofit by GAMAG and //wifag that will include new automation and press controls. It is expected to go into operation at the end of 2013. The overall project is being managed by GAMAG.

For Finland, Esa Lehtipaino Oy is a medium-sized newspaper printer and publisher headquartered in Lahti. The annual turnover this year will be eight million euros, with the publisher's own newspaper products accounting for around 85% of this.

The reconfigured newspaper printing press consists of four reelstands, three printing towers in a satellite design, two angle-bar modules for three webs each, and two jaw folders 2:5:5 with balloon formers, skip slitter and a quarter folder. These allow the production of a broadsheet paper with a maximum of 48 pages or a tabloid paper with a maximum of 96 pages in full colour.

The use of the //wifag Platform drive and press control system requires the upgrading of the printing towers, the drive rollers in the angle-bar module, folder superstructure and the folders to the latest direct drive technology. The electromechanical sidelay register drives as well as the mechanical auxiliary registers and their electromechanical servo drives will also be renewed. Furthermore, the newspaper printing press will be operated from two //wifag control consoles and equipped with a new softproof system from //wifag. A //wifag production planning and machine presetting system rounds off the scope of delivery.

The availability of spare parts will be ensured for many years to come through the retrofit. In addition, the renewed newspaper printing press will have a number of innovative functions to improve the quality and reduce waste. These functions correspond to those of a new machine. The renewed printing press can be equipped with the latest generation of //wifag color and cut-off register controls.

Plans are already being made for the conversion of the building scheduled to begin in February so that the newspaper printing press can be installed in Lahti starting in May 2013. The scope of delivery includes dismantling the machine in Oulu, all transports, the retrofit, which will be split between Lahti and Petäjävesi, the reconfiguration and integration of the //wifag automation solutions, as well as the start-up of the press. In other words, the order is for a turnkey project.

The newspaper printing press has been provisionally scheduled to go into operation on 6 December 2013 (Finland's Independence Day).