52 years ago, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) launched its K-Offset line at its Wiesloch manufacturing facility in Germany. The K-Offset portfolio included the KYD64 popularly called Kord 64 by Nigeria printers. However in 1982, Heidelberg discontinued the production of its K-Offset line to pave way for automated multi-colour presses.
From 1982 to date, more and more printers in Nigeria still prefer Kord 64 to any other printing machine. In fact, investigation by WHERE To Print Intelligence shows that more than 75% of printing presses in Lagos State – the nation’s commercial capital – have either grey or black colour Kord 64 machines in their inventory.
Without doubt, the legendary K-Offset press (Kord 64) has the advantage of German technology which made it rugged, cost-effective and easy to maintain. WHERE To Print Intelligence investigation also reveals more salient reasons why Kord 64 dominates printing presses in Lagos State albeit Nigeria.
WHY KORD 64?
In an interview with a cross section of printers in Lagos State, reasons such as affordability, low maintenance, accessibility of technicians, flexibility of consumable usage, and performance are some of the reasons for the popularity of usage of Kord 64 in Nigeria.
SCANIT Printing Press Shomolu, Lagos CEO – Mr. Ajayi Omotayo explained that – despite other modern multi-colour printing machine in his press, Kord was the only machine that can be used to print quick short run job at a very affordable price to all and sundry. He added that most of the jobs done in Nigeria are usually less than 2000 impression which was best done on Kord. He further said the cost of maintenance is minimal, and he is of the opinion that 60% of job run in Shomolu are run on Kord. He predicted that Kord will still be relevant in the sense that Nigerians prefer printing machines that are mechanical in nature – instead of modern printing machines that have complex electronics. But he however noted that with the influx of the digital printing machines in the country, jobs are being taken off Kord 64 for quick turn-around time, better quality and automation.
To Mr. Sunday Owolabi, General Manager of Marvelous Mike Press LTD – the 1970 Kord 64 in his press which is still in use; will remain relevant in his printing press despite the acquisition and upgrade of Marvelous Mike Press LTD to a modern printing machines. He attested to the ruggedness of Kord machine by declaring that in the years to come, Kord will still be relevant for its durability and ease of maintenance, “Kord is a life-time machine; and no matter the numbers of the new machines I may later buy, I will still use the old durable Kord” he promised.
Adeola Aderoju, Production Manager of Dekunle Nigeria LTD, former apprentice of Atisco Nigeria LTD, corroborated Mr. Owolabi by confirming that Kord is a strong offset machine with uncomplicated maintenance process; it’s less expensive and easy to manage than modern printing machines. Also speaking with Scheme Concept Director – Adeshina Adejumo who said lack of fund is what makes most printers to still stick to Kord and also because of its ruggedness.
According to Gbenga Aje, former apprentice of Westco Nigeria Printer, now the Production Manager of BethelNelsons LTD – Kord advantage is its flexibility in material usage. He stressed, “Kord machine is a very effective offset machine that is strong and easy to maintain than any other machines of its kind. It can also print on any paper irrespective of the grammage or size unlike the other bigger machines now in the market.”
Speaking with Oluwatoyin Adeyiga, Machine Operator of Sherib Nigeria LTD, cost of acquisition and flexibility in usage makes Kord an indispensable offset printing machines. He explained that Kord is cheap to acquire when compared to other offset machines and can be used to perforate and number job. Oluwatoyin who learn printing trade from T- Richard Bariga, Lagos added that Kord is the most easily operated machine for operators.
Michael Omotola, Production Manager GMAT Printing cum apprentice at Abdec Nigeria LTD, believes that Kord printing machine is popular among the offset printers because it has the capacity to easily print A2 Size which is cheaper for both the printer and the print buyer – than any other press. He noted that this is the more reason majority of print buyers plan their work on A2 Sizes to print on Kord. He reinstated that Kord is easy to maintain and durable and affordable to purchase. He further added that Kord machine is the only offset machine that can be easily repaired locally with spare parts readily available with maintenance cost not as costly as other offset machines. According to Westman Oyejobi, “Kord is indispensable, because there are some jobs you cannot do on other machines but on Kord alone”.
Also speaking, Mr. Tope Olaoye, print graduate of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) and staff of Divine Work Press, said the reason printers still hold on to Kord has to do with the low expenses incurred on the machine in terms of consumables usage, repairs, and electricity consumption when compared to other offset machines.
Mr. Ebenezer Adetoro, former apprentice of De-print Press, who now works as the machine operator of PBV Press, attested to the cost-effectiveness, durability and efficiency of Kord machine noting that Kord was the best machine ever introduced into the Nigerian printing industry. Bola Adeleye, Production Manager of DATKIM Nigeria LTD noted that Kord machine takes the lead in terms of maintenance and services. He believes Kord only requires overhauling/ comprehensive maintenance services once in a year when compared to other machines that are serviced more than once in a year.
According to Mr. Kehinde Sebiotimo – graduate of Yabatech who was a former apprentice at Ibukunolu Printer now Production Manager of MAC J SERIES LTD – Kord, “is the only offset machine manufactured by the Germans that have last almost a century” while noting further that Kord still remain the best in terms of durability and affordability. Murhi Saad of Dalos Press (former apprentice at Bracetem Press) also attested to the fact that it can outlive its owner.
This assertion was corroborated by the trio of Kehinde Oshinsanwo of Lakawa Ventures (former apprentice at DEPRINT PRESS); Saheed Aileru – Production Manager at Famaron Printing Press (graduate of Nigeria Institute of Printing Art and Graphics Sabo Yaba); and Olakunle Kazeem (former apprentice of TIEM SCREEN and ABIDEK) but now the Production Manager of OGA WILLIAMS PRINT. They all confirmed that Kord is one of the best innovations by the Germans in the sense that during design and manufacture – they not only considered the print investors that would buy the Kord machines – but most importantly the operators that would run them – that was why the ease of use is commendable.
In another interview with MD of Tishe Print – Mr. Adeshina Alatishe, a former apprentice of Ibukunola Printer; he explained that he cannot stop to use his Kord because the modern printing machines are quite expensive to purchase and maintain. For this, a lot of printers prefer Kord 64 thereby making it difficult to phase out due to its popularity.
Conclusion
With a 52 years history and still going strong, observers believe Kord 64 has come to stay in the annals of Nigeria graphics industry. While much is said about its durability, ease of acquisition, use and flexibility, WHERE To Print Intelligence believes K-Offset press ideals of innovation ingenuity, cost-effectiveness in manufacturing/ acquisition, and flexibility and ease of use should be better highlighted, documented and used as standard for print machine modeling and manufacturing. However, going by the trends in communication the world over, Nigeria printers should be bold enough to upgrade their printing facilities to a better and more automated multi-colour presses that are more cost-effective, rugged, efficient and flexible – meeting investors’ high Return On Investment (ROI) targets.
