Offset Printing
180 young explorers take press plant by storm
Monday 24. November 2008 - KBA opens doors to employees children: People & Print for the next generation
“Exciting”, “cool” and “great! Really interesting” were the plaudits when KBA opened its doors to staff children. The invitation was issued in association with the Alliance for the Family, a body promoting family-friendly employment. Games, talks, demonstration films and some hands-on experience helped give the children an idea of Mums and Dads working day and, of course, how a printing press operates. How does the ink get on the paper? How are copy and images put in a newspaper? Learning the answers to these questions and more kept the children busy for the entire day, at the end of which some of the younger ones no doubt tumbled exhausted into bed.
When the invitations were issued for Kids Day, which was held on a school-free public holiday (the Day of Prayer and Repentance), the organising team never imagined that the response would be so overwhelming. With capacity to host 180 children, they received applications from a full 265. KBA even bussed in 22 children from its production plant in nearby Trennfeld. Those lucky enough to take part were escorted round the factory in small groups, learned about manufacturing and assembly, stared in awe at the massive machinery and showed great respect for pieces cast at temperatures of over 1,400°C.
Planning for the event commenced back in the spring. The working day began at 8.30am on the dot with breakfast at various locations throughout the factory. In between the activities offered there was plenty of time to play games testing mobility and co-ordination skills. Even the lawn in front of the assembly hall was put to good use as a football pitch.
The twelve- to fourteen-year-olds made flower boys and diode men out of metal, and even had the chance to operate a CNC machine. For the six- to twelve-year-olds there was a choice of designing marbles, making sand images or creating foldover pictures. A course on marbling as one way of putting ink on paper revealed a high level of artistic skill among the participants.
More than 50 KBA employees and apprentices were involved in Kids Day, which lasted until 3.30pm. With KBA paying for all the food and drinks, the young participants were well provided for. And the press manufacturers of tomorrow were unanimous in their desire to return next year to see Mum and Dad at work. Once again, KBAs slogan, “People & Print”, was brought to life.