Third Print Media Academy Winter University held in Kuala Lumpur
24 participants from 11 countries in the Middle East, Africa
and Asia-Pacific regions took part in the third Winter University
held in Kuala Lumpur from January 15-20, 2006. The Print Media
Academy (PMA) of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) and
PMA Malaysia provided wide-ranging information on new printing
applications, current market trends and the role of company
management. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, is one of 13
locations in the international PMA network. Accordingly, the Winter
University's practical sessions were staged in the local
PMA/Heidelberg showroom where, among other things, the technical
possibilities of the new Speedmaster XL 105 were demonstrated.
"The impressive turnout and the caliber of the participants
show that the Winter University has become established as a
five-day intensive seminar for managers in the print media
industry," said Martina Brand, Head of Marketing at the Print
Media Academy, who was in charge of the international executive
program.
Trainers at the event included distinguished experts from
Germany - among them the head of Heidelberg's Print Media
Center, Karl Kowalczyk, and Professor Ronald Schaul from the
Stuttgart Media University - and specialists from the Asia-Pacific
region, such as Stan Solomidis from Synthesis Australia. They gave
participants the benefit of their considerable experience,
providing up-to-the-minute management know-how and information on
new applications. The latest developments involving paper and inks
were presented by representatives from UPM-Kymmene in Finland and
Horstmann-Steinberg in Germany.
"In view of the fierce competition in the industry
worldwide, the participants' main priority was to improve their
management skills and find out how to develop new lines of
business," said Bernd Schopp, Head of the PMA in Heidelberg,
outlining expectations of the event. The Winter University met
these expectations by offering know-how on marketing, sales,
finance, controlling and innovative production processes -
including the standardization of workflows using JDF, PDF and CIP4.
The development of the print media industry in China was also
a key topic. Other case studies were used as a basis for providing
answers to the question posed by participants of how printers in
other markets are able to meet the virtually universal requirements
relating to quality, price, flexibility and productivity. As a
result, the managers benefited from examples of best practice that
they can use at their own companies.
"The Winter University not only gives managers the
technical and management tools they need to meet market
requirements, participants also extend their international
network," said Bernd Schopp, highlighting some of the
advantages of the event. The informal atmosphere encouraged
participants from the various nations to share their ideas and
experiences.
Following the success of the Winter Universities in Dubai,
Sao Paulo and Kuala Lumpur, further such events are already being
planned in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and South America regions.
Image:
Satisfied participants attending the Print Media
Academy's third Winter University, a one-week intensive seminar
in Kuala Lumpur.
For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Communications
Hilde Weisser
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 50 66
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 46
E-mail:
hilde.weisser@heidelberg.com