Speaking in a webcast earlier this week, Manroland Sheetfed chief executive Raphael Penuela said that the firm’s Drupa-signed agreement with Landa, to incorporate Landa technology into a hybrid press was subject to four conditions regarding quality, speed, substrate range and ink costs.

However, in a statement Landa said: “Though Landa and Manroland Sheetfed signed a memorandum of understanding at Drupa, we can assure you that there is no basis whatsoever to the claim that it was subject to the four conditions mentioned – or any other performance conditions.”

The company also distanced itself from Penuela’s comment on the current performance of Landa Nanographic Printing Presses.

According to the Landa statement no representatives of Manroland Sheetfed have visited Landa since Drupa 2012 and the firm has not demonstrated the technology to Manroland Sheetfed since then.

The statement added that “there has been virtually no business contact between the companies for over two years”.

“Due to higher priorities, Landa simply did not pursue the Manroland relationship after drupa – and no business relationship of any kind ensued.”

Komori is the only press manufacturer that has a signed a formal deal to incorporate Landa technology in its own presses.

As well as being Landa’s strategic partner, Komori is also its main supplier of sheetfed transport systems, with teams from both organisations working in partnership on Landa and Komori machines.

Landa said that its close working relationship with Komori meant that it would naturally be “giving a lower priority to alternative vendors/partners”.