7th April 2006: Latvian printers, Printing Group Mukusala, a subsidiary of leading Baltic publishing and media group AS Diena, has placed an Ipex order for a Komori System 38S heatset web press. The new four unit machine, due for delivery in September this year, will be the first new heatset web press installed in Latvia.

Says Arvils Aseradens, chairman, AS Diena: "The Komori web press, part of an order that also includes a range of Muller Martini finishing equipment, is the result of a detailed seven-year strategic review by the company. When we began this process, we undertook an intensive analysis of our market and customers to ensure the press we ordered was a perfect fit for us moving forward. Our key considerations were service, delivery reliability, people and price and Komori met all these requirements.


"We currently print 45 percent of all coldset products in Latvia, including half of the Latvian newspaper market, so the heatset printing of magazines, supplements and advertising materials is a natural progression for our business. We have a very strong team who bring with them many years of print and publishing knowledge, and with our new Komori press we now have the right technology to drive our business.


Mr. Aseradens says the Baltic countries are in a period of tremendous economic growth, with the Latvian economy growing by 11 percent last year alone, and advertising up by 18 percent.
"There are very significant opportunities in the Baltic commercial and magazine market and once the Komori System 38S is installed later this year the aim is to take 20 percent of Latvian magazine market and 10 percent of the advertising market over the next twelve months."


Adds Visvaldis Troksa, Vice-president, Mukusala:"When we began our operation in 1993 we started with a range of second-hand equipment, however, its' always been my belief that while second-hand equipment is great to start a business with, you need new top-end technology to be able to compete effectively in the market. The Baltic region is very competitive, so we needed to ensure any web press we purchased offered very quick make-readies to ensure maximum efficiencies in the production process as well as the flexibility to grow with the company.


"The Komori System 38S offers us the opportunity to add a fifth unit and a sheeter if required which is a major advantage. We are an ambitious company and have a clear path for growth and the System 38S web press is at the heart of this plan, We have a strong history of innovation in the industry. We were the first colour newspaper printing house in the Baltic region and see this investment as the next step in building our leading position in the market."