Focus on Cost-Effective Printing

At Ipex, Heidelberg showcases solutions that boost added value for customers

Under the motto "Your connection in the world of print media" (covering a total of more than 5,000 square meter), Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg)  demonstrates to visitors to Ipex how media service providers and printers can integrate their processes. At this year's key print trade show, being held in Birmingham, U.K., between April 9 and 17, 2002, the company presents  solutions for various market segments, including industrial print, digital print, commercial print, commercial web and postpress. The key areas of focus are on integration and digital print solutions.

"It isn't just technology, but rather business models and flexibility that will determine the future economic success of print businesses". This is the view outlined by Bernhard Schreier, Chairman of the Management Board of Heidelberg, at the company's press conference at the start of Ipex.

According to Mr. Schreier, the debate about whether the industry faces a conflict between offset and digital is leading to uncertainty. And this uncertainty needs to be banished. Heidelberg does not believe there is a conflict between variable printing and offset printing, but rather a logical co-existence. "We shun the word "replace". We prefer the word completion", and with it the widening of print markets. In future, our customers will be able to produce more and will not be confined to traditional output media. Our approach is to present this 'augmentation concept' to our customers in a way that they can understand and appreciate - and that's what we'll be doing at Ipex", said Heidelberg's Chairman to the assembled international trade press.
 
Technology should not be regarded as technology for its own sake, but should instead be seen in the context of creating the best possible benefits for customers. "Cost-effective printing" will be a key theme at Ipex, particularly given the current economic conditions.

Heidelberg will be showing visitors among other products its Prinect system, the modular workflow components that span the entire added value chain. At the Ipex stand, visitors will be able to see for themselves how production data and business management data flow together seamlessly in the Prinect integration center. As a result, users enjoy efficient and transparent workflows. The Prinect module Prinance is Heidelberg's Management Information System (MIS). This professional costing and order processing software has been developed specifically for small and medium-sized companies in the printing industry.

For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Investor Relations
Dirk Kaliebe
Tel: +49 (0)6221 92 60 20
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