The firm has secured "cooperation agreements" with six international web-to-print vendors; Bitstream, Brandmaker, EFI, MS-Visucom, Neo7even and RedTie.

"The opportunity for us isn't about generating our revenues, it's building relationships with our customers. It will also fit in very nicely when we bring in digital [kit]," said Heidelberg UK managing director George Clarke.

Heidelberg Services chief Marcel Kiessling added that the aim of the six partnerships is to ensure strong web- to-print integration within its Prinect workflow.

Speedmaster CX 102: Ipex unveiling

The same goal was behind the tie-ups with four MIS developers, which was also unveiled today. Kiessling said CERM, EFI, Printplus and Tharstern were specifically chosen for their high level of JDF connectivity.

Many of the web-to-print and MIS partners will be represented on Heidelberg's stand in Hall 8, where it will also give visitors a first peek of its latest B1 press, the 16,500 sheets-per- hour CX.

The press is a hybrid of the Speedmaster CD 102 and the high specification XL105, and, according to Heidelberg, more than 50% of its parts are either new or XL-based.

The non-perfecting press will be available with between four and eight units and handles the same plate as the CD. The press on show is a five-colour plus coater running with the firm's Inpress Control closed-loop colour management system.

According to Heidelberg, it will be taking orders for the press, which will be between 10-15% cheaper than a similarly configured XL, at Ipex and will be delivering the first machines in September.