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U.S. Printers Choose Heidelberg Technologies for Top-Notch Results

10/01/2008


Kennesaw, Ga. - September 30, 2008 - Heidelberg USA announces the following new product installations:

Multi Packaging Solutions Continues Legacy of Excellence with Heidelberg Technologies

In the three years since its formation, Multi Packaging Solutions (MPS) has grown to become one of the most highly-acclaimed print and packaging companies in the United States. To keep pace with rapid growth and meet evolving customer needs, MPS recently invested in new equipment from Heidelberg at its Louisville, Ky. location, which focuses primarily on the media industry, including packaging and design for the music, movie, video game and computer software markets. The latest additions to its fleet of equipment include a two-color Speedmaster CD 102 press and a Stahlfolder TH 82 folder. "Based on our current product mix and needs, we chose Heidelberg's two-color CD 102 to supplement our three existing Heidelberg presses," said General Manager Terry Hesketh. "Since the installation, our production speed has significantly increased thanks to the improved press speeds, reduced makeready time and decreased blanket washing time."  The new folder, which replaced a competitive folder, has been up and running since early 2008 in the MPS Louisville plant. Features on the TH 82 - like the air stream register table with vacuum sheet guidance and the ability to store air settings for recurring jobs - significantly shorten makeready times and reduce bottlenecks in the bindery for MPS. With the folder in place, MPS's bindery was prepared for the increased production and faster output that came when the CD 102 was added to the pressroom a few months later. To ensure maximum productivity, the new press was installed with Heidelberg's Systemservice 36plus service package, providing 36 months of full coverage and preventive maintenance for the CD 102.  "Our Heidelberg presses are always successful additions to our pressroom, and we rely on Heidelberg's regular maintenance with full assurance that we will not have service issues," Hesketh said. "The CD 102 and Stahlfolder TH 82 are perfect additions to our operation, and we have smoothly transitioned to a more productive workflow with these updated technologies."

Finlay Sharpens its Bindery Automation with Heidelberg's POLAR 137 XT 
As its tagline suggests, Finlay offers its clients "innovative ideas" on how to use both offset and digital printing methods to grow their business. Recently, the specialty marketing solutions company in Bloomfield, Conn. decided to execute some innovation of its own and install a new POLAR 137 XT cutter with automation to help improve its bindery process. "As we grow, we are seeking automation in each area of the company," CEO Kevin Kalagher said. "Installing the new POLAR cutter with automation has expanded our cutting capabilities in the most cost-effective way possible, so we are always positioned for more growth." The new cutter, which replaced an older model POLAR 137, automatically removes waste paper and aligns skids during the cutting process. "POLAR is truly the leader in paper cutting equipment, and after looking at competitive equipment, I think we have made the best investment in both technology and value with POLAR," Kalagher said. "As a specialty provider, we look for equipment that will help us maintain a certain edge in the industry, especially during these uncertain economic times." With 95 employees and counting, Finlay has now been in operation for 132 years - and expects continued growth and success.

Nextgen Embraces Heidelberg Sheetfed Technology to Keep Customers Happy
Next Generation Printing, Inc. (Nextgen) recently chose to install a new five-color Heidelberg Printmaster PM 52 press with perfector to its already impressive operation. The Canton, Mass.-based company, which also runs a six-color Speedmaster CD 102 with in-line tower coater, a six-color Speedmaster SM 102 with perfector and a six-color Speedmaster SM 74 with perfector from Heidelberg, replaced two existing presses with the PM 52, equipping it to handle orders for three- and four-color materials. "We were wasting time and resources running four-color jobs two times on our existing two-color press," said John Rothstein, President of Nextgen. "We constantly had to move orders around to different presses, and needed a more efficient, appropriate way to get the job done. Because of the mix of work we receive and the needs of our customers, we wanted to invest in a flexible, high-end press with perfecting capability." Rothstein reports that the company has saved both time and resources since installing the PM 52, and has passed along those savings to its customers. "We try to match our equipment to the needs of our customers, and this strategy has paid off," he said. Nextgen runs Heidelberg Stahlfolder folders and POLAR cutters in its bindery, and uses Heidelberg Saphira Consumables throughout the shop. With its latest technology investments, a rich tradition of excellence and more than 85 employees, Nextgen will continue its legacy of providing prompt, quality results to happy customers.

Heidelberg Technology Helps Eagle Press Soar to New Heights
Eagle Press recently chose to install four new two-color Heidelberg Printmaster QM 46 presses to facilitate business growth at its Rocky Mountain, N.C. and Tualatin, Ore. locations. The company, which produces corporate identification materials and general commercial work for Fortune 1000 companies, relies on Heidelberg's QM 46 presses for fast makeready time and quality results. "Being able to make adjustments on the fly is very important to us," said CEO Lane Weatherly. "The QM 46 presses are so productive and flexible - they can handle a multitude of substrates and are easy to use." Two of the presses were installed at the Oregon location of Eagle Press, which is still in transition since it was acquired by the company more than two years ago. "Our goal is to exclusively run Heidelberg QM 46 presses at both locations," Weatherly said. The company uses Heidelberg Saphira Consumables to ensure that its presses are in peak shape at all times. With more than 100,000 square feet of production space and 75 employees, Eagle Press is well positioned to reach new heights.

World Arts Installs Game-Changing Stitchmaster from Heidelberg
Binding is truly an art form at World Arts in Spencer, Ind., which employs several hand-bookbinding craftsmen for highly specialized binding assignments. The company recently introduced greater automation, speed and productivity to its postpress operations by adding a new Stitchmaster ST 450 saddlestitcher from Heidelberg. "Saddlestitching is the backbone of our book binding process, and the Stitchmaster has already helped us increase our capabilities threefold," Bindery Manager Matt Leach said. "I honestly can't imagine life without it." The Stitchmaster's flexibility is vital for the company's orders for very small books, which it considers "an exception to the rule."  Bindery operators who were working 60 to 70 hours a week are glad for the relief that the new saddlestitcher has provided. The pressroom is also reaping the benefits of an upgraded pressroom with the recent installation of a new two-color Printmaster QM 46 press. The company already runs four of Heidelberg's Stahlfolders in postpress, as well as Heidelberg's Saphira Consumables throughout the shop. As World Arts continues to expand, it will look to Heidelberg to help ease its growing pains. Founded more than 45 years ago, the company now has nearly 100 employees.

Ohio Career Technical Center Teaches with Heidelberg Equipment
Michael Diglia, an Instructor at Apollo Career Center in Lima, Ohio, believes in using the best equipment to teach his students the art of offset printing.  The career technical school recently installed a two-color Printmaster QM 46 from Heidelberg. "We've always been a firm believer that Heidelberg is the best," Diglia said. "Our goal is to give our students hands-on training on industry-standard-setting equipment. The print and graphics program prints most of the forms, worksheets and flyers for the center, as well as doing some commercial print work. We don't advertise, but we do have a lot of nonprofit organizations come in. We see it as a way for our students to get customer service experience, along with the hands-on training because our ultimate goal is to prepare students for good jobs in the print industry." Diglia, a 1979 Apollo Print and Graphics graduate, started teaching more than a decade ago.  After a long career as a press operator himself - starting out as a Feeder Operator on a press in Dallas, and working his way up to the Lead Press Operator - Diglia came back to the Apollo classroom to share his knowledge with students. The school also teaches its students how to use bindery equipment on a POLAR 78 XS cutter and Baumfolder 714 XLT folder from Heidelberg. Beyond the equipment, Diglia has always appreciated the service and support he receives from Heidelberg. "Heidelberg's service and training are very good. They've been great about working with me."

Prestige Printing Upgrades Postpress Operations with POLAR Cutter and Stahlfolder from Heidelberg
In the year 2000, after more than a decade in the printing business, Carlos Hernandez decided to open his own shop in Austin, Texas. Prestige Printing was born, and thanks to Hernandez's vision, has lived up to its name. Hernandez recently invested in his first pieces of Heidelberg equipment with the purchase of a POLAR 78 cutter and a Stahlfolder B 20 folder. "I always liked Heidelberg equipment," Hernandez said. "I used to run POLAR cutters and Stahlfolders, and they last forever. That's why I decided to go with Heidelberg." Hernandez started Prestige out of his garage; in 2002 he moved the operation to a more permanent location, and now has five full-time employees. The shop runs primarily general commercial four-color and two-color work. "I always wanted to have Heidelberg equipment of my own when I had my own shop," Hernandez said. "I'm looking forward to eventually buying a Heidelberg press."

Heidelberg Printmaster QM 46 an Easy Choice for Texas Printer
PaperGraphics Printing, a small commercial shop in Temple, Texas, has run a two-color Printmaster QM 46 press from Heidelberg for nearly a decade. When it came time to install a new press, the decision was easy for Doug Smith, one of the company's partners. "We always liked the QM 46, so we knew that's what we wanted," Smith said. "There's really nothing else like the QM 46 in the market. We have used other duplicators, but Heidelberg's speed and reliability are unmatched." PaperGraphics has served the quick printing needs of central Texas since 1972 and has grown to 12 employees. In addition to the quality of the machinery itself, service and training were also factors in the shop's decision to go with Heidelberg. "We've always been happy with Heidelberg service," Smith said, "and the training programs have been excellent."

San Antonio Shop Increases Capacity with POLAR Cutter from Heidelberg
Accu-Print, a full-service general commercial shop in San Antonio, Texas, recently added a POLAR 78 cutter from Heidelberg to its postpress lineup. The new cutter joins a larger POLAR 92 cutter already on the floor, where it will handle overflow work produced by the pressroom. "Both of our POLAR cutters from Heidelberg have been great," said CEO and Owner Chuck Ellis. The entry-level, high-speed POLAR 78 can handle a wide range of substrates, including paper, cardboard, card stock and foil, up to a cutting width of 78 centimeters. In addition to the POLAR cutters, the shop also runs two Speedmaster SM 74 presses - one six-color with coater and one two-color - plus a two-color Quickmaster QM 46 press from Heidelberg. Accu-Print, founded in 1986, has grown to 27 employees. The shop depends on Heidelberg reliability and performance to exceed its customers' expectations. "They've always been good," Ellis said. "That's why we keep buying them."

Washington Shop Installs Two Printmaster QM 46 Presses from Heidelberg
When Chris Nation, the Owner of Marysville Printing, needed to upgrade his print shop with new equipment thanks to business growth, he turned to Heidelberg for two new two-color Printmaster QM 46 presses. The shop upgraded from an older QM 46 press, and was so pleased with the performance and reliability of the former press, that sticking with the same model was an easy choice. "Our old Printmaster just ran nonstop," Nation said. "We had easily generated over 65 million impressions. We knew it was time to upgrade; we just had a debate on whether one or two systems would best fit our needs. We decided to add two QM 46 presses since our productivity was so high." A small commercial shop in Marysville, Wash., the company has been in business for 14 years and has five employees. The shop runs a variety of substrates through its presses, from business cards and envelopes to heavier weights and vellum. "The QM 46 is a very versatile press and it meets our needs; the machine does a superior job with print quality and registration," Nation said. "Our customers are quite happy with the output and would not settle for anything less." Heidelberg service also played a role in Nation's decision. "We had an outstanding experience with Heidelberg service on our existing press, and this helped in our decision to continue with Heidelberg," he said.

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
With a global market share for sheetfed offset printing machines of more than 40 percent, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is the world's leading solution provider for commercial and industrial customers in the print media industry. Headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, the Company focuses on the entire process and value chain for popular format classes in the sheetfed offset and flexographic printing sectors. Apart from printing presses, the product portfolio includes plate imaging devices and finishing equipment, as well as software components designed to integrate all print manufacturing processes. In addition, Heidelberg offers a wide range of spare parts, consumables, used equipment and services, along with extensive training programs provided by the Print Media Academy. Furthermore, the Company assists its customers' investment plans by offering financing concepts.
 
Heidelberg is most active within the major OECD industrial regions and is expanding its involvement within growing markets such as Asia and Eastern Europe. With development and production sites in six countries and some 250 sales offices worldwide, the Company offers services to more than 200,000 customers around the globe. Heidelberg generates 85 percent of global sales through company-owned sales offices and above 85 percent outside of Germany. In fiscal year 2007/2008, Heidelberg achieved sales of 3.670 billion Euro referring to the divisions Press, Postpress and Financial Services as well as a net profit of 142 million Euro.
 
As of March, 31, 2008, the Group employed 19,596 staff worldwide.

Editorial Contacts:
Manning Selvage & Lee
Leila King
Tel.: 404.870.6844
E-mail: lelia.king@mslpr.com .

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