Heidelberg with a forward strategy

Print Heidelberg expands the XL platform. The first machines are ready for Drupa 2008. "Heidelberg's crisis is over.
The decision to merge the web offset and digital printing divisions in 2004
was the right decision, even from today's perspective," said Bernhard
Schreier, CEO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) at the end of
in front of journalists last week. Among other things, Heidelberg was characterized by
Acquisitions and joint ventures in the commercial web printing sector,
newspaper printing and digital printing. After these
areas did not develop in line with expectations, Schreier's
redimensioning finally became a necessity
have become. Heidelberg has thus completed a turnaround that will probably
would have cost many other companies their heads and collars. Including
with the reduction and focus on the core business of sheetfed offset printing
the world's largest solution provider for the print media industry has
the areas of prepress, print finishing and integration
expanded. "Because," says Schreier, "the future of the print media industry
lies in automation and process optimization".

New XL machines for Drupa
Bernhard Schreier left the product announcements to
Member of the Management Board Jürgen Rautert, who is responsible for the
technology. Rautert was thus able to realize the often discussed and in
recently, Heidelberg has at least no longer ruled out the possibility of
Entry into larger sheet formats now officially confirmed.
Heidelberg is currently developing further models that are based on the
The new XL machine platform presented a year ago. Specifically
Heidelberg plans to launch this new product at the Drupa trade show in summer 2008 under the
Speedmaster XL 142 and XL 162 from Heidelberg are two new
Machines for format classes 6 (102 ¥ 142cm) and 7b (120 ¥ 162cm)
offer. Rautert explained that the packaging market in particular is experiencing a
There is great demand for these large-format printing presses.
In the packaging segment, Heidelberg has now become a leading
solution provider. From platesetters and printing presses to
especially for further processing solutions such as punching machines (Dymatrix,
Varimatrix), folder gluers (Diana X) together with
workflow solutions, Heidelberg print shops can get everything from a single source.
Hand received.
Automation is advancing here, particularly in the further processing
and the accompanying industrialization of production.
Thanks to servo motors, new machines such as the Diana X can be significantly
set up faster.

Protection against counterfeiting
Rautert also provided information about a cooperation with Saueressig Security
International GmbH (SSI), which is jointly operated by the companies Saueressig + Co.
GmbH (D-Vreden) and StarBoard Technologies Ltd. (Israel) were founded
has been developed. Heidelberg and SSI want to develop processes that make it possible to
primarily enable packaging printers to print security features
to be raised. This gives branded companies, software providers, etc.
effective protection against brand piracy.

Closer to the customer
Finally, Heidelberg also presented the recently opened and new
customer demonstration center. The Print Media Center at the
Headquarters of the company in (mainly) Heidelberg and Wiesloch
presented from prepress to printing and finishing
the Group's complete range of solutions.
Also at the trade fair taking place in Birmingham next April
Ipex, the company will present itself to the trade public. As a
The highlight will be numerous innovations in the Prinect area.
be. In keeping with the trade fair motto "Connect to Success", the
New perfect binder fully integrated into the Prinect workflow
Eurobind 4000 will be shown. But for Ipex, according to the
Heidelberg, they have come up with a few more ideas.
surprises in store.

Jürgen Franck