Canada’s Advance Paper Box Ltd. Elevates Its Innovative Packaging Solutions With New Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 Press Technology
Independent Winnipeg, Manitoba folding carton manufacturer makes the largest single capital investment in its more than 50-year history
- New Rapida 106 becomes APB's flagship press and one of the most advanced presses in Canada
- Will modernize APB's pressroom with new capabilities and more throughput
- Extended color gamut, content control, inline press inspection with complete data analysis, and UV finishing will allow for consistent quality and the highest productivity
- Features Instrument Flight, an AI-supported automated color control software to measure and control gray balance
Advance Paper Box Ltd. (APB), an independent folding carton manufacturer in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has purchased a new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 41-inch seven-color press with coater — the largest single capital investment in the company's more than 50-year history. The investment modernizes APB's pressroom and expands the range of work the company can take on for brand owners across North America.
“Over the years, our commitment to providing innovative and high-quality packaging solutions has driven our growth, and now, we’re taking it to the next level with a significant capacity expansion and other forward-thinking initiatives,” says Gerry Choquette, President & CEO, Advance Paper Box Ltd. "We've been making cartons here for over 50 years. This investment in a new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 says we intend to be doing it for the next 50."
The new Rapida press, which will be delivered in early 2027, is designed with APB’s current and future customers’ needs in mind. They consistently requested more colors, faster turnaround times, and job analytics for all of their work. This is what is required by brand owners with today’s multi-SKU initiatives. Customers requested extended color gamut so APB could match a far wider range of brand colors without dedicated spot inks.
“The Rapida 106 modernizes and expands our pressroom and allows for additional capacity,” says Yeti Biroue, APB’s Chief Financial Officer. “It will become our flagship press and will produce the majority of our folding carton work.”
APB chose Koenig & Bauer due to a number of significant factors. First, relates Biroue, Koenig & Bauer has been building printing presses since 1817. “When you're making the largest capital commitment in your company's history, continuity matters,” he says. “We wanted a trusted advisor who will support our newest investment as well as our whole organization well into the future.”
“Second, beyond Koenig & Bauer’s history and track record, our decision came down to the people. Our Koenig & Bauer sales manager, Aleks Lajtman, was knowledgeable, patient, and took the time to genuinely understand our operations and what we needed. It was clear throughout that he was interested in our success and that mattered as much as any single feature. It was always about a true partnership,” says Biroue.