Selected customers are being taken to see the new X model at Heidelberg's facility in Mnchengladbach during the show. The Diana X will ship in Q1 2005. "It will include a completely new design and a device that will turn cartons 90 degrees during the production flow," said Heidelberg UK postpress business executive Mark Hogan.

He added that Heidelberg's packaging finishing presence at the show was partly a bid to show its commitment to the finishing range. The extended division was previously Jagenberg, which was bought out by Heidelberg at the start of last year. Products include the Diana Pro 114, Diana 45 and the entry level model ECO 78.

"There was concern in the market over how Jagenberg's products would develop once we bought it. What we have shown at Drupa is that we are in packaging for the long haul and Heidelberg stands firmly behind the range," said Hogan.

Meanwhile, MY Holdings' Healthcare division has finalised its purchase of a Heidelberg Diana Pro 114 at the show. The folder-gluer will include the Jagfeed prefeed and the new Japack Pro case packer. This incorporates a code reader and ejection system for monitoring and safeguarding product security. A two gun gluing option will allow overhead pen gluing.

The investment has been made to boost MY's growth in the European pharmaceutical market and when installed the machine will produce narrow side wall blister packs at the rate of two million per day.

"This latest generation machine will increase capacity and help us sustain our low unit cost base," said MY Healthcare managing director Nigel Crookes.

The deal is hugely significant for Heidelberg, as MY Healthcare had previously standardised on Bobst folder-gluer equipment.

The Drupa demonstration of the Diana Pro 114 with Dymatrix diecutter in Heidelberg's packaging zone is proving to be one of the big draws of Heidelberg's finishing exhibit.

Pictured is MY Holdings chief executive John Monks with Heidelberg's head of postpress, Dr Jrgen Rautert.

Story by Philip Chadwick at Drupa