A Legacy Built on Print

When the printing company founded in 1864 makes a significant technology investment, it carries a weight of history that few companies can match. Dunav Press, based in Ruse, Bulgaria, the country's oldest printing company, recently marked a significant milestone with the installation of its first Komori press, 6-color Lithrone 40 advance with a coater. To celebrate the occasion, the company hosted an open house that welcomed nearly 180 guests from across Europe.

The Decision to Switch

Managing Director Nikolay Alexiev, who has led the company since 2010 and successfully transformed its business to focus entirely on pharmaceutical packaging, made the bold decision to invest in the company's very first Komori press, marking a new chapter in its production history.

The decision was driven by a compelling combination of trust and economic performance, with CEO of Komori International Europe Thomas Heininger playing a pivotal role in building that confidence. His personal engagement with Mr. Alexiev at Dunav Press went beyond a conventional sales process, fostering a relationship built on transparency and a shared vision for the future of pharmaceutical print production. Working closely with local distributor PRINT Solutions GmbH, this partnership approach ultimately proved decisive.

"The main reason we bought Komori is the trust," Mr. Alexiev explains. "And then, of course, the economical figures, the level of production costs."

Performance and Sustainability in Focus

For Dunav Press, which produces up to 800 million pharmaceutical folding cartons annually and exports to Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Romania, production efficiency is paramount. Lower makeready costs, reduced paper waste, and a competitive total cost of ownership all contributed to the decision to invest in Komori. The press entered full-scale production in April 2026, and early results are already meeting expectations, particularly in reducing makeready sheets, directly supporting the company's sustainability goals.

Sustainability is deeply embedded in Dunav Press's operations. The company generates approximately 40% of its annual electricity consumption through a rooftop solar installation comprising 1,220 solar panels, supported by a 500-kilowatt battery storage system.

The new Komori press also introduced PQA-S (Print Quality Assessment System), providing full inline inspection. Mr. Alexiev describes it as the highest standard of inline quality control currently available on printing press, further strengthening the already stringent quality requirements of pharmaceutical packaging production.

Opening the Doors to Innovation

To commemorate the investment, Dunav Press hosted a landmark open house event celebrating the company's 162-year history. 180 of customers, partners, and industry professionals from across Europe gathered to experience live production demonstrations throughout the facility.

Live demonstrations featured the Lithrone G40 advance with coater as well as finishing equipment including the Bobst Novacut 106 E 3.0 die-cutter and the Bobst Expertfold 80 A2 folder-gluer.

During the demonstrations, medium to high volume jobs (3,500 and 8,000 sheets) were produced on the Lithrone G40 advance with coater. Highlights included Komori's three quality and process control systems--the PDF Comparator System, PDC-SX, PQA-S --as well as significantly reduced makeready time and improved setup efficiency.

Visitors also toured the newly opened Bavaria Hall, a cleanroom-compliant facility dedicated to aluminum foil printing for the pharmaceutical industry. As part of its growth strategy, the company also plans to expand its digital printing business.

A Legacy Built by People

In a particularly thoughtful gesture, Dunav Press also invited employees' families to the event, giving them a rare opportunity to see the world-class facility where their loved ones work every day. Long-serving employees, including several with more than 50 years of service--were personally recognized on stage by Mr. Alexiev.


Scenes from the Open House

The celebration concluded with a Bulgarian-language performance of The Mask of Zorro, offering international guests a memorable cultural experience beyond the usual business program. It was a fitting tribute to the people whose dedication has shaped the company's remarkable 162-year history.