Training has always been a core part of the global culture at HEIDELBERG, and in China this commitment took on an even stronger role: ensuring that local teams, customers, and partners could master the full mechanical-electronic complexity of the company’s equipment while staying ahead of rapid technological change. Today, that long-standing philosophy continues to guide HEIDELBERG's work in China more than ever.
At the center of this mission stands the Print Media Center (PMC) Shanghai, the company’s regional hub for demonstrations, customer events, and professional training across Asia-Pacific. Purpose-built to support the region’s fast-growing print markets, the PMC delivers more than technology showcases: it forms a complete ecosystem for skills development.
"Created especially for our customers in the Asia-Pacific region, the PMC is where we host our demonstrations and events for the entire region,” explains Jeff Jan, Head of PMC Shanghai. Housing some of the most advanced HEIDELBERG equipment, including the Speedmaster SX 102 and the globally bestselling Speedmaster CX 104, the center offers visitors direct access to state-of-the-art production environments.
Customer training is one of the Shanghai PMC’s core pillars. Thousands of operators, managers, and print specialists from customers in the Asia Pacific region pass through its programs each year, all with a shared goal: learning how to extract maximum performance from their equipment.
“Our PMC is where we train our customers and share our application expertise with visitors from across the Asia-Pacific region, helping them get the most out of their equipment,” says Jan. “Only well-trained staff can truly maximize the performance and productivity of their printing equipment.”
HEIDELBERG supports this effort with a clear philosophy: training is not simply instruction; it’s a strategic contribution to customers’ long-term success. That philosophy is reflected in several distinctive strengths of the PMC’s customer training program:
This environment transforms training into more than a learning event: it becomes a platform for networking, benchmarking, and exploring new production possibilities.
But customer-focused training is only part of the story. Behind the scenes, another equally vital mission unfolds: developing HEIDELBERG’s own engineering talent. This responsibility is led by Arkin Pariltan, Head of Service at HEIDELBERG China, who oversees the Print Media Academy (PMA) located within the same Shanghai facility.
"Our Print Media Academy in Shanghai mirrors our world-renowned academy in Wiesloch," explains Arkin. "Its infrastructure, training models, and quality standards were deliberately designed to match the German original, ensuring that engineers trained in Asia receive the same world-class preparation as their counterparts in Europe."
The PMA Shanghai offers approx. 20 training programs ranging from mechanical and electrical instruction to process-related topics. More than 100 HEIDELBERG engineers pass through these courses annually. Their training extends far beyond maintenance: graduates learn how to install complex presses, guide customers effectively, and help print shops fine-tune production for optimal output quality.
“This ensures that every HEIDELBERG engineer, no matter where they are trained, performs at a world-class level.” For a company synonymous with reliability and precision, this uniformity is indispensable.
Training at HEIDELBERG is therefore not simply about “how to push buttons.”
Just as importantly, the programs prepare print companies for technological evolution. As automation, digital presses, and AI-driven production control reshape the market, the HEIDELBERG training teams ensure that the workforce evolves alongside the machines.
“Training is part of who we are as a company,” Jan reflects. “It’s how we help our customers achieve better performance every day."
Pariltan agrees, emphasizing the role of training in sustaining long-term value: “When our engineers and our customers are well trained, the entire industry benefits. This is why our mission in Shanghai is so important — it ensures that HEIDELBERG’s global standards are maintained across every market we serve.”
