Qld trade printer cancels order for $2 million Landa press

The printer that was on track to take one of Australia's first Landa presses has made a U-turn on the $2 million investment.

Gold Coast trade printer IBS Design Resources made the last-minute decision after having signed a letter of intent at Drupa for an A1 or A2 Landa press, which would have cost about $1.5 million to $2 million.

Visitors to Drupa were offered the chance to sign a letter of intent for the first batch of Nanographic presses – as long as they paid a €10,000 ($12,850) deposit.

IBS Design Resources owner Scott Siganto told ProPrint he had changed his mind just before the 31 May deadline for the down payment.

He wasn't prepared to endure up to a three-year waiting period before Landa machines were available in Australia.

"That money is better off in our cash flow for the next three years."

Siganto said if the press could reach its advertised speed of 13,000 sheets per hour, it would be about five times quicker than any of the current digital inkjet presses. Speed was the only thing holding inkjet back, he added.

"We're always looking for a better and quicker option for our clients," he said.

Siganto told ProPrint he might order another Landa press in a few years if it suited to IBS's needs.

Read our interview with Benny Landa