IPEX 2010 Blogs - Andy McCourt Number 2

Hi again. I'm just out of the Heidelberg pre-Ipex press conference and the big news is the big H is DEFINITELY getting back into digital presses.

Of course, there was much mouth-watering offset news and demos, such as the very impressive new CX-102 which takes over from the successful CDs but, without naming names, CEO Bernard Schreirer (pictured) confirmed that Heidelberg will 'team up with' digital press manufacturers this year and introduce a 'range of relevant solutions for our customers.'

"Heidelberg will re-enter the digital printing business," said Schreirer, referring to its past experience with Nexpress, originally a joint Kodak-Heidelberg venture but hived off to Kodak in 2004 when Heidelberg was experiencing dire liquidity problems.
 
Schreirer was followed by UK MD (and Ipex President) George Clarke who, despite opening with "I can't wait to get back into digital print," countered with a list of errors committed by digital vendors that ran from click charges to 'mis-selling' and overhyping VDP and a sharp rebuff of B2 digital presses, launching at this Ipex. Pressed (by yours truly) on whether the big H was once again only to be "half-pregnant" in digital, a joint reply from Clarke and Schreirer was a skilfull polemic that the future is in totally integrated offset AND digital solutions and Heidelberg intends to be market leader in total print solutions, not just digital.
 
I think I get it but it would be really nice to know what Heidelberg will be offering digitally, before the end of Ipex wouldn't it? Chatting with the genial George after, I did note that I might have gone in a bit hard because of last night's 20/20 cricket result in the West Indies. He chuckled at that ... not a bad bloke for a Pom.
 
Quote of the day goes to Bernard Schreirer who concluded: "This IPEX will go down in history as the turning point in one of the most serious crises in history."
 
Yeah for Bernie! Let's see it happen for the industry, customers and especially Australian and New Zealand printers.
 
Well it's late and I'm still a tad jetlagged ... time for a pint and and a curry.
More tomorrow ...

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