In spite of the difficult times the print sector is going through, the company, which is based in Linz, Austria, does not shy away from investing in modern technologies and innovative solutions.
The most recent investment at Friedrich Vereinigte Druckereien und Verlags GmbH & CO KG was an 8-colour KBA RA106 sheetfed offset press fitted with a MABEG RS 106 Inline Reel Sheeter. It marked an important step toward a cost-efficient and paper-saving printing process, as it is now possible to use paper reels (which are more favourably-priced) on their printing presses.
"The latest printing technology available on the market, plus the MABEG Reel Sheeter and some finishing equipment allows us to get production speed up noticeably. We can increase the output by about 50 %, guarantee short delivery times, and do something for the environment at the same time", said proud CEO, Bernd Friedrich.
"Our strategy of investing countercyclically has always paid off. Our customers, too, see see the point of investing in innovations, all the more when times are rough. We are today already one of the top players working with Austrian publishing houses. Thanks to this new major investment, we can serve the publishing sector even better and strengthen our production of catalogues and brochures in the long run", Bernd Friedrich said.
The company's key customers include major Austrian publishers and large industrial companies. Friedrich's wide portfolio ranges from magazines to brochures and business reports. The current investment gives them the chance to work even more cost-efficiently in terms of paper costs in this segment, and thereby to strengthen other product groups, e.g. the production of catalogues and folders. Their sales forecast already predicts a significant rise in sales volume this year.
"Our future-oriented investment projects will cause sales to grow by 20-25 % this year, and we definitely see more potential customers for our print products, even beyond Upper Austria and in neighbouring countries", Bernd Friedrich said.