We certainly intend to increase our noise level, and youll be hearing more about IBM in the printing industry, said Christoph Rau, the newly-appointed general manager for the EMEA region.

In the printing industry we have one big advantage, and thats our competence in IT and data. The real reason customers talk to us is because of the value we bring in integration into IT infrastructures. Rau added.

IBMs Ipex exhibit includes four zones labelled publishing power, workflow power, statement power, and cut sheet power. It is showing complete production lines, incorporating equipment from Duplo, Friedheim International, Hunkeler, Roll Systems and Stralfors.

IBM Printing Systems has worldwide sales of $1.8bn (including office products), but is not generally mentioned in the same breath as competitors such as Heidelberg, Xerox and HP Indigo.

I dont know why that is, said Rau. One reason may be that we arent a one trick pony. Yes we are in print, but we are not primarily print. But when people write specifically about production printing they cannot ignore IBM our strength is producing software and services that focus on the importance of data, and thats a topic that doesnt have technical hype.

IBM sees its main markets as statement printing, print-on-demand book printing and direct marketing.
Rau said the firm would continue to sell its Xeikon-engined Infoprint 130 our customers are very satisfied. It also recently invested in ink-jet maker Aprion, We looked at different solutions and Aprion seemed the most promising. We want to be ahead and the market wants four-colour, high-speed, high quality solutions.

Two new cut-sheet Infoprint machines make their debut at Ipex, the 85ppm 2085 and 105ppm 2105. They can take more data streams than any other on the market, Rau stated.

Story by Jo Francis