Heidelberg Realigns Prepress Sector - Focus on Workflow Software and Computer-to-Plate Systems
04/19/2002
Digital production and development will be extended in Kiel
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is streamlining its prepress product portfolio and expanding production of digital presses in Kiel. All scanner development and production operations will be discontinued and its range of filmsetters will be limited to high-end units. "This move is a timely response to the changing needs and trends on these markets", explained Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberg. "We will be focusing our prepress business on workflow software and plate imaging (CtP)." It will send a clear signal for the future of the Kiel site. "We will also be expanding our digital printing business in Kiel", added Mr. Schreier. In the medium term, the site is to become a key center of operations for the development and production of the NexPress digital color press. To date Heidelberg has already sold more than 170 of these units worldwide. "Service and support will be continued for all products", he added.
Scanner and Computer-to-Film markets on the decline
The market for scanners in all quality classes has experienced a downturn over recent years - up to 20 percent in 2001 alone, depending on market and product. This downturn is even more pronounced for computer-to-film - with falls of up to 30 percent in some cases - since this technology is being replaced increasingly by computer-to-plate. The scanner products set to disappear from the Heidelberg portfolio include all DTP scanners (the entire Linoscan range), the Nexscan and the Primescan. In the computer-to-film sector, the Duosetter, Quicksetter 460 and Quicksetter 46 will all be discontinued.
As a result of the reduction in the product portfolio necessitated by these market trends, the company plans to cut the workforce in Kiel by around 200 over the next few months. At the same time, around 60 extra employees will be needed in the site's digital printing sector (a highly attractive growth market) for producing the Nexpress digital color press. Kiel currently has a payroll of just under 1,500. "The structural changes will have a lasting positive effect on Heidelberg's results and contribute to securing the site's future," Bernhard Schreier explained.
For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Investor Relations
Dirk Kaliebe
Tel: +49 (0)6221 92 60 20
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 60 61
E-mail: dirk.kaliebe@heidelberg.com
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is streamlining its prepress product portfolio and expanding production of digital presses in Kiel. All scanner development and production operations will be discontinued and its range of filmsetters will be limited to high-end units. "This move is a timely response to the changing needs and trends on these markets", explained Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberg. "We will be focusing our prepress business on workflow software and plate imaging (CtP)." It will send a clear signal for the future of the Kiel site. "We will also be expanding our digital printing business in Kiel", added Mr. Schreier. In the medium term, the site is to become a key center of operations for the development and production of the NexPress digital color press. To date Heidelberg has already sold more than 170 of these units worldwide. "Service and support will be continued for all products", he added.
Scanner and Computer-to-Film markets on the decline
The market for scanners in all quality classes has experienced a downturn over recent years - up to 20 percent in 2001 alone, depending on market and product. This downturn is even more pronounced for computer-to-film - with falls of up to 30 percent in some cases - since this technology is being replaced increasingly by computer-to-plate. The scanner products set to disappear from the Heidelberg portfolio include all DTP scanners (the entire Linoscan range), the Nexscan and the Primescan. In the computer-to-film sector, the Duosetter, Quicksetter 460 and Quicksetter 46 will all be discontinued.
As a result of the reduction in the product portfolio necessitated by these market trends, the company plans to cut the workforce in Kiel by around 200 over the next few months. At the same time, around 60 extra employees will be needed in the site's digital printing sector (a highly attractive growth market) for producing the Nexpress digital color press. Kiel currently has a payroll of just under 1,500. "The structural changes will have a lasting positive effect on Heidelberg's results and contribute to securing the site's future," Bernhard Schreier explained.
For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Investor Relations
Dirk Kaliebe
Tel: +49 (0)6221 92 60 20
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 60 61
E-mail: dirk.kaliebe@heidelberg.com
Global, Regional, Local
Heidelberg's 250 support centers in 170 countries and a team of over 7,500 sales staff, 4,500 of which are service technicians, mean we have the most compre- hensive sales and service network in the entire indus- try. Heidelberg generates 85 percent of its sales through its own sales companies and achieves around 87 percent of its sales abroad.
