Chief executive Bernhard Schreier told a contingent of international journalists assembled in Heidelberg today that the company would now have more of a sales and service focus and would partner with other manufacturers outside its core product specialism of sheetfed presses.

In future it would sell Heidelberg developed and manufactured products, Heidelberg-branded OEMd products, and third party products under third party brands, Schreier explained.

For those who want to deal only with the manufacturer, Heidelberg is not the right company. But if you want the best consultancy, finance and integration into a total digital and conventional workflow and finishing, then Heidelberg is the right company, he said.

Last week the company announced a major realignment, which would result in the spinning off of its web press division and the repositioning of its digital division.

Schreier said next years Drupa exhibition, which will take place in Dusseldorf in May, would only be a success if the predicted pick-up in the economy materialised and the market was not stifled by another world crisis. If the economy doesnt revive, Drupa will not change the world, he said.

Heidelberg was also poised to unveil the second-generation of its flagship Speedmaster press to the assembled party of journalists this afternoon. Details will be posted on printweek.com as they become available.