Supporting the Full Workflow is Key to Success in Digital Printing Era
02/28/2001
Heidelberg chairman provides industry outlook at On Demand Expo
Despite the development of new media technologies, the printed page is here to stay, with strong growth anticipated over the next decade. Bernhard Schreier, chairman of the board for Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, delivered this message to an audience of more than 1,200 Wednesday at the Javits Center in New York during the keynote address for the On Demand Expo. In the address, Schreier provided an outlook into the future of digital printing and explained the steps industry professionals must take to remain successful in the decade to come.
On demand printing, the process of completing shorter run projects with variable data quickly for customers, is gaining momentum in the graphic arts industry. In order to remain competitive for the long term, industry professionals must adapt to these changes or risk being left behind. Addressing the new landscape, Schreier's keynote speech emphasized:
"Heidelberg's goal is to be the leader of the digital printing industry for 2010 and beyond," said Schreier. "Working together we will provide value to our customers by offering complete solutions for every market segment. The end result is that printers will employ these solutions to produce higher-value printing and services for their customers, resulting in profits and the continued demand for digital printing."
The company's outlook for the digital print industry stems from a decade of experience and customer and industry feedback from the digital print arena. During the 1990s, Heidelberg developed the technologies that made digital print a viable and profitable solution to meet the increasing demands of customers.
"What Heidelberg did in the 1990s was basically redefine the economics of offset printing," said Charles Pesko, CEO of CAP Ventures, a leading industry research and analysis firm. "DI technology gave commercial printers an easy entry into the quick printing market while quick printers, digital service providers and prepress houses were able to enhance their services with a press that produced results more like a commercial printer."
After introducing direct imaging technology to printers, 10 years ago, Heidelberg developed a niche between high-end ink-based printing presses and lower quality, but economical toner-based copy machines. Heidelberg USA refers to the 1990s as the "Direct Imaging (DI) Decade." Recently, the company held an Executive Forum and customer seminar at its Atlanta demo center. Feedback was received from professionals in the industry and key user groups. The input, combined with the vision and expertise of Heidelberg's executive leadership, created the foundation of Heidelberg's digital printing strategy.
Heidelberg products such as the Quickmaster DI-46 are receiving accolades as the number of manufacturers delivering direct imaging presses continues to grow. Recently Heidelberg announced shipment of the 500th DI press in the United States. "The QMDI is a versatile machine because of its affordable market position - the QMDI can extend the offering of quick printing shops with an offset press that is clean and fits well into the existing workflow," said Frank. "QMDI is also an excellent way for a commercial printer to offer services more in line with a quick print shop and still maintain a high quality product."
About Heidelberg USA
Heidelberg USA Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG and is the largest regional office of the company. With 26,000 employees in over 170 countries, Heidelberg is the world's market leader in printing and publishing solutions. Heidelberg has grown from a conventional printing press manufacturer to a solution vendor for the graphics industry covering the entire spectrum from prepress and press to postpress. Heidelberg also develops and manufactures black-and-white digital printing engines and high-performance copiers.
Image
Leading the Way - Bernhard Schreier, chairman of the board for Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG addresses more than 1,200 attendees during the keynote speech for the On Demand Expo at the Javits Center in New York, February 28. In his keynote, Schreier provided an outlook for the future of the digital printing industry, including how professionals in the industry can remain profitable during the transition to the digital printing age. By becoming a complete solutions provider to the industry, Heidelberg's goal is to lead the way for companies in this effort.
For further information:
Hans-Dieter Siegfried
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 50 63
E-mail: hans-dieter.siegfried@heidelberg.com
Despite the development of new media technologies, the printed page is here to stay, with strong growth anticipated over the next decade. Bernhard Schreier, chairman of the board for Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, delivered this message to an audience of more than 1,200 Wednesday at the Javits Center in New York during the keynote address for the On Demand Expo. In the address, Schreier provided an outlook into the future of digital printing and explained the steps industry professionals must take to remain successful in the decade to come.
On demand printing, the process of completing shorter run projects with variable data quickly for customers, is gaining momentum in the graphic arts industry. In order to remain competitive for the long term, industry professionals must adapt to these changes or risk being left behind. Addressing the new landscape, Schreier's keynote speech emphasized:
- The printed page is here to stay. New media such as the Internet and wireless technologies provide opportunities rather than obstacles to the print industry. Industry analysts agree. Gartner Group predicts the demand for printed pages to increase by 10-20 percent per year.
- Moving forward, a higher level of cooperation must exist between suppliers and printing businesses, and between printing businesses and the customers they serve.
- Customers to the printing industry are more knowledgeable and demanding than ever. As printers look to satisfy demanding customers, they must provide full, end-to-end digital solutions.
- To be successful, printers of the future must make the
transition from a manufacturing model to a service model: from
simply producing documents to helping customers manage their
information.
This transition will include:- 24-hour customer service
- Embracing of technologies such as e-portals as customer relationship tools
- Continued support of consumables
- Consulting and network know-how
- Printers of the future must go beyond the provision of traditional services and offer additional services such as hardware, software and brainware to their customers.
"Heidelberg's goal is to be the leader of the digital printing industry for 2010 and beyond," said Schreier. "Working together we will provide value to our customers by offering complete solutions for every market segment. The end result is that printers will employ these solutions to produce higher-value printing and services for their customers, resulting in profits and the continued demand for digital printing."
The company's outlook for the digital print industry stems from a decade of experience and customer and industry feedback from the digital print arena. During the 1990s, Heidelberg developed the technologies that made digital print a viable and profitable solution to meet the increasing demands of customers.
"What Heidelberg did in the 1990s was basically redefine the economics of offset printing," said Charles Pesko, CEO of CAP Ventures, a leading industry research and analysis firm. "DI technology gave commercial printers an easy entry into the quick printing market while quick printers, digital service providers and prepress houses were able to enhance their services with a press that produced results more like a commercial printer."
After introducing direct imaging technology to printers, 10 years ago, Heidelberg developed a niche between high-end ink-based printing presses and lower quality, but economical toner-based copy machines. Heidelberg USA refers to the 1990s as the "Direct Imaging (DI) Decade." Recently, the company held an Executive Forum and customer seminar at its Atlanta demo center. Feedback was received from professionals in the industry and key user groups. The input, combined with the vision and expertise of Heidelberg's executive leadership, created the foundation of Heidelberg's digital printing strategy.
Heidelberg products such as the Quickmaster DI-46 are receiving accolades as the number of manufacturers delivering direct imaging presses continues to grow. Recently Heidelberg announced shipment of the 500th DI press in the United States. "The QMDI is a versatile machine because of its affordable market position - the QMDI can extend the offering of quick printing shops with an offset press that is clean and fits well into the existing workflow," said Frank. "QMDI is also an excellent way for a commercial printer to offer services more in line with a quick print shop and still maintain a high quality product."
About Heidelberg USA
Heidelberg USA Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG and is the largest regional office of the company. With 26,000 employees in over 170 countries, Heidelberg is the world's market leader in printing and publishing solutions. Heidelberg has grown from a conventional printing press manufacturer to a solution vendor for the graphics industry covering the entire spectrum from prepress and press to postpress. Heidelberg also develops and manufactures black-and-white digital printing engines and high-performance copiers.
Image
Leading the Way - Bernhard Schreier, chairman of the board for Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG addresses more than 1,200 attendees during the keynote speech for the On Demand Expo at the Javits Center in New York, February 28. In his keynote, Schreier provided an outlook for the future of the digital printing industry, including how professionals in the industry can remain profitable during the transition to the digital printing age. By becoming a complete solutions provider to the industry, Heidelberg's goal is to lead the way for companies in this effort.
For further information:
Hans-Dieter Siegfried
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 50 63
E-mail: hans-dieter.siegfried@heidelberg.com
Jonathan Graham
Heidelberg Americas Inc.
Tel.: +01 (0)770 419 66 14
E-mail: graham_jonathan@heidelbergusa.com
Heidelberg Americas Inc.
Tel.: +01 (0)770 419 66 14
E-mail: graham_jonathan@heidelbergusa.com
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