Heidelberg will embark on a "quest for maximum efficiency and control" as it takes over the NECs Hall 8 at Ipex.

The focal point of the groups 5,000m2-plus Ipex exhibition will be the launch of its NexPress digital press for the UK market.

"The competition will be expecting us to make a lot of noise, and the four-colour NexPress 2100 is hot news for us," said Heidelberg UK sales director Jim Todd.

Half of Heidelbergs finishing machines will be shown working as a "solution" with other pre-press and press kit, with the remainder on display in the dedicated finishing area.

Heidelbergs dedicated MIS, Prinance, part of the Prinect suite, is central to the efficiency theme. "Were launching Prinect at the exhibition as important for the industrialising of business," said Todd. "The key issue is the integration of business information and production. This is the move from CIP 3 to CIP 4 that JDF (Job Definition Format) has made possible."

Heidelberg hopes to improve links between the production and management chains. Prinance costs 10,000 for a three-terminal system, excluding all hardware and training.

The groups press exhibits will include multi-press technology and added online facilities, including die-cutting and coating.

Pre-press will focus on Heidelbergs future workflow strategy based around PDF and JDF, plus the Prosetter and Topsetter CTP ranges.

Story by Rachel Barnes