"We are adapting to the new requirements in the small-format segment and are optimising our portfolio for this market," said Heidelberg Equipment management board member Stephan Plenz.
"Because our portfolio for this segment comprises offset and digital printing technologies, customers benefit from the close interlinking of both worlds and can boost their competitive edge even further."
The manufacturer is to focus sales on its Speedmaster SM 52 and SX 52 devices and its Linoprint C 901 and C 751 digital printers.
The GTO or Grosser Tiegel Offset (large platen offset) was launched at Drupa in 1972 and the Printmaster GTO 52 has since sold 106,000 units worldwide.
Managing director of Ipswich-based Healeys Phillip Dodd, who has fond memories of the device, said his first GTO 52 had made something of a dramatic entry into his life. “I’d just joined my father’s printing firm and decided to take myself off to see the GTO when Heidelberg came to town in their coach. Despite the fact I had no right to do so I signed an order for one. I got the biggest telling off of my life [from my father] and silent treatment for a week!
“But six-months later when we got rid of our two Rotaprints and the GTO was doing twice the work of both of them, he was a happy man.”
"The GTOs gave so many people, if not their start in printing, their next step up. I have very fond memories of it but I can understand why they are phasing it out - the market and technology has moved on.”
Managing director of BCQ Richard Knowles said the company still operates a GTO to this day. “We had four at one stage and we still have a 46 model that has been operated pretty much every day for about 25 years. They are cracking machines.
“They were a quantum leap in terms of quality comparison against other small offset machines that were on the market at the time and the fact that we have one after 30 years, still turning out good quality work, shows it is an incredibly flexible and versatile machine.”
But production manager at Bayliss Design and Print, John Bayliss, said that although the GTO had given him his introduction to the printing world, he wouldn’t miss it. “I did my apprenticeship on it. We had two when I started and it was a great introduction to print and probably made me a better printer.
“But to be honest I’m not sad to see it go because it just shows how much progress we’ve made. Our GTO 52 was replaced with a Speedmaster 52, which was the difference between a horse and cart and a Ferrari. Things are so much easier now.”
