(SINGAPORE 30/05/2011): Heidelberg Asia Pte. Ltd. (Heidelberg) and
Ricoh Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (Ricoh), announced that Malaysia and
Thailand have been chosen as the first markets in Asia in the
phased global rollout of the new Heidelberg and Ricoh strategic
cooperation.
The partnership enables Heidelberg to sell Ricoh's latest
color digital press, the Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition, as
part of Heidelberg's total print solution. In Asia, Heidelberg will
also sell the Ricoh monochrome production printing product
portfolio.
Addressing the market need of integrated print production
Digital printing continues to grow as commercial
printers extend their business models to offer marketing services,
short run color, and same-day service. Offset printers are
increasingly seeking to complete their portfolios with a flexible
digital solution integrated into their existing high quality offset
environment. The Ricoh and Heidelberg partnership supports them in
growing their core offset business and enable them to offer more
flexibility towards their clients using Ricoh's latest digital
print technology. Today, offset printers have access to a nearly
unlimited range of printing substrates, spot colors and
state-of-the-art coating applications as well as specialty inks
through Heidelberg's market leading offerings. By adding
Ricoh's leading digital production printing technology,
professional printers will be able to offer the well-known
advantages of variable data printing, instant delivery of urgent
print jobs and cost effective production of shorter run lengths.
The combination of offset and digital printing now available
from Heidelberg enables print shops to respond flexibly to customer
requirements by offering profitable variable data printing and
shorter runs in addition to cost-efficient, high-quality offset
printing.
Bent Mortensen President of Heidelberg Asia commented, "We
have worked closely with the Ricoh Regional Management in Singapore
and have agreed a common strategy for introducing Ricoh into
Heidelberg's Asian markets. I am impressed by the commitment and
dedication of the Ricoh Asia Pacific Headquarters team as well as
the respective Ricoh teams in Thailand and Malaysia. These
countries are the first step and we will be introducing Ricoh into
Heidelberg operations in other markets through a phased approach".
Nobuaki Majima, Managing Director of Ricoh Asia Pacific said,
"I believe the partnership between Ricoh and Heidelberg in our
region is a great fit. Like us, Heidelberg has an uncompromising
commitment to excellence. We are committed to offering a broad and
balanced range of solutions that are not limited and truly embrace
the era of digital and offset convergence. Together, we continue to
share our knowledge and expertise to develop the best models that
meet the needs of our customers".
Interplay of Offset- and Digital-Printing offering additional
flexibility
The Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition addresses the
needs of commercial printers to build a high quality, digital color
printing environment. Featuring a production speed of 90 pages per
minute (ppm) it is easily the fastest and most productive system in
the digital value segment. This segment includes systems providing
production speeds between 60 ppm and 90 ppm with an average monthly
production volume from 80,000 to 300,000 A4 pages and beyond.
Providing high quality output, the Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts
Edition is an ideal solution to meet the expanding demand for
shorter print-runs, variable data printing and rapid delivery on a
wide range of substrates. In addition to the Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic
Arts Edition, the Ricoh Pro 1107EX and Ricoh Pro 1357EX will extend
the portfolio to include digital monochrome solutions. By combining
Heidelberg's Prinect workflow with the dual platforms of offset,
for example with the Speedmaster 52 Anicolor press, and digital
printing, with the Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition, print
service providers will be able to derive greater profitability from
short run jobs and simplify color and job management.
"In combination with our best-in-class offset technology, the
Ricoh Pro C901 is the ideal digital solution. Using both
technologies, customers are able to offer variable data printing
and shorter runs, next to their established cost-effective and
high-end quality offset printing. With this new partnership,
Heidelberg will also address customer demands in the broad spectrum
of hybrid print applications such as the combination of offset and
digital printing within a single print product. We are convinced
there are many opportunities for customers to grow their business
with this platform," said Mr. Mortensen.
Mr. Majima added, "We are leveraging our strengths to help
print service providers in the AP region to invest and grow with
confidence. With our support, our customers can look forward to a
more flexible and profitable future."
In conclusion, Mr. Mortensen said, "This partnership is
exciting for us and I believe for our customers. The combined
offset and digital solution provides complimentary printing
technology and cost efficiency along with the highest quality and
support from two leading suppliers. I am confident that our
customers will benefit greatly by the Ricoh and Heidelberg
partnership".
Both companies are committed to deliver a value-added
offering which drives long term profitability for their customers.
Entering into a global distribution contract is the first step of
the strategic partner cooperation between the two companies.
Heidelberg's and Ricoh's future plans are to include
integration with Heidelberg's industry standard workflow
solution in the graphic arts industry, Prinect, as well as joint
development activities for future printing applications.
For the global rollout, Heidelberg follows a sequential
approach in order to guarantee the highest available service level
to its customer base. Starting in April 2011, customers in Germany
and the UK are already able to purchase the Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic
Arts Edition from Heidelberg. Both companies are working on the
rollout for other Asian markets, North America, China and Latin
America. The Eastern European market is targeted to rollout by
drupa 2012, closing the worldwide process.
Contact Information:
Heidelberg Asia Pte Ltd
Charan Tansenee
Marketing Manager
Phone: +65 6664 2132
Fax: +65 6664 2108
E-mail:
charan.tansenee@heidelberg.com
Ricoh Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Stephanie Ee
Marketing Communication Manager
Phone: + 65-6830- 6842
stephanie_ee@rapp.ricoh.com
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Dirk Henrich
Corporate Public Relations
Phone: +49 6221 92 5910
Fax: +49 6221 92 5069
E-mail:
dirk.henrich@heidelberg.com