KBBS Partners with BIRKAN for Consumables

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (KBBS) is continuing its strategy of innovating with partner companies.

In January this year it signed a partnership with Sonect to support access to cash, in May a strategic partnership with Gietz, in June a joint development agreement with friSense Technologies to explore new products for further automation of cash circulation, in August a partnership with Aflatoun for learning tools for financial inclusion, and last month another partnership with Veracity Protocol to develop solutions for authenticating any type of printed product without the need to apply additional features.

In October, it added to these with the announcement of a strategic partnership with BIRKAN to expand its portfolio in the area of consumables and strengthen its ambitions for a unique printing ecosystem for the special needs of high security printers.

BIRKAN, which celebrates its 100th anniversary next year, manufactures blankets for intaglio and simultan printing, as well as glass bead blankets for hologram films and hot and cold foil embossing. It also produces calibrated press boards for underpacking and cylinder packaging for intaglio presses.

Under the partnership, BIRKAN will be responsible for the procurement and finishing of printing blankets as well as other consumables, and will advise KBBS and its customers on the lean provision of these.

The advantage to KBBS customers will, says the company, include qualified and certified products from a single source, secure supply chain and stability for production, problem-solving competence through close cooperation between machine builder and converter, strengthened responsiveness to customer requests, and all-round advice on printing technology issues.

To mark the new partnership, the two companies are launching the new MasterSECURE printing blanket for the Super Simultan and Super Orlof Intaglio, which was developed as a replacement for the predecessor product discontinued by the manufacturer.