Heidelberg is set to enter the crowded print e-comms market through a new alliance with Deutsche Telekom.
The press giant and telecomms provider are working together on a concept for a global Internet transaction platform for the graphic arts industry.
Heidelberg chairman Bernhard Schreier said that the Internet was a real stroke of luck for the printing industry, and would propel growth in print. We are looking to establish an open Internet standard for graphic arts. I believe that todays proprietary technologies will fail to win through on the market, he stated.
The co-operation could lead to the establishment of a joint venture in future, and other partners are likely to be brought on board in order to provide attractive solutions quickly.
Heidelbergs Drupa launches include a CD version of the Speedmaster 74, which will see it go head-to-head with KBA and MAN Roland with their new B2 offerings targeted at the packaging market.
At a press conference on Wednesday (17th May), Heidelberg also revealed a new licensing deal with Screen, which will see Screens external thermal drum technology used in the new Topsetter 74 (4-up) and Topsetter 102 (8-up) platesetters. These will be manufactured at Heidelbergs Kiel site.
Following the collapse of the Heidelbergs joint venture with Creo (now CreoScitex) a new OEM agreement has been struck regarding the Prinergy and Trendsetter products, which Heidelberg will continue to sell and support.
Other new launches include a new series of drum scanners, Primescan, which will replace the existing Tango models after Drupa.
For quickprinters theres the new Bindexpert adhesive binder, and a new Printmaster model, the 74, is aimed at the jobbing printer. Commercial web printers are being targeted with the Pacesetter 870 saddlestitcher, a 15,500cph machine unveiled at the show.
Story by Jo Francis