NexPress sold 70 NexPress 2100 digital colour presses during the eight-day Print 01 exhibition in Chicago.

The firm said it was delighted at the number of sales and orders generated by the launch of the press, despite the falling attendance after the terrorist attacks on America.

Heidelberg corporate communications manager Hans-Dieter Siegfried said that 90% of these machines were ordered for the North American market.

"This was because 95% of customers were from North America. Were planning to hold events in Europe to promote the NexPress," he added.

He added that the NexPress was a complementary product to Heidelbergs Quickmaster DI direct imaging press.

Thatcher Hogan, NexPress Solutions marketing and communications manager for the US, said the number of units sold "beat all our expectations", especially as the weeks events unfolded and attendance dropped. "But people came to place orders despite everything," he added.

NexPress, which is a joint venture between Heidelberg and Eastman Kodak, used CGATs PPML/VDX variable data technology to promote the press. Visitors were invited to create their own bespoke NexPress 2100 brochure through PC and Macintosh workstations. The 8-24pp brochures were then printed at the exhibition.

The NexPress has 300 approved or pending patents and can produce 2,100 350x470mm sheets per hour.

Story by John Davies