Hall 11 of Heidelberg’s Wiesloch-Walldorf site, where the firm’s Speedmaster XL1 42 and XL 162 presses will be built, was officially opened last week with production of both presses due to begin next month.

Heidelberg VLF and special applications product manager Steve Cavey said: “The request came in from customers to make a larger format press with the same level of automation as our B1 presses and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

The move follows the success of Heidelberg’s Speedmaster XL 105, launched at Drupa in 2004, which accounted for almost 10% of the company’s product sales in the 2006/07 financial year.

Meanwhile, VLF veterans KBA and MAN Roland are both planning to launch products for next year’s Drupa to combat the added threat from Heidelberg.

KBA UK managing director Christian Knapp said: “We are aware of our competitors trying to muscle in on our territory, so we will defend our market position and present new offerings at Drupa.”

MAN Roland GB sheetfed sales director Gary Doman said the company was planning to add a number of elements to its 900 series presses, in an effort to fend off the extra competition posed by Heidelberg.
He said: “We will be launching a machine that will allow for a slicker makeready on larger format, across the whole XXL range.”

Heidelberg’s XL 142 and XL 162 presses, which can handle a maximum sheet size of 1,020x1,420mm and 1,200x1,620mm respectively, are primarily targeted at book and packaging printers.

More VLF products are expected as Heidelberg looks to build an end-to-end production system.
Cavey said: “We will also have equipment in both the pre-press and post-press arenas to complement the range of VLFs in some shape or form.”

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HEIDELBERG VLF PRESSES
Speedmaster XL 142
max sheet size 1,020mmx1,420mm
Speedmaster XL 162
max sheet size 1,200mmx1,620mm
Target market sectors Packaging and book printing
Manufactured Hall 11, Wiesloch-Walldorf site