Label press leads Heidelberg digital strategy

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen sees its latest digital growth strategy as an essential response to volatile trading conditions in core markets. Aiming to improve net profitability, the German offset press maker will direct almost a third of its R&D resources on a new digital and software portfolio involving strategic partnerships with Gallus (30 percent owned by Heidelberg), Ricoh and Fujifilm. While aimed at core customers, the company’s strategy, based on a mix of technologies, is expected to open up untapped markets.

At an international ‘Digital Sneak Peek’ event held at its R&D headquarters, Gerold Linzbach, CEO, said: ‘As part of our expansion in the digital sector, we are investing in technologies such as inkjet printing. We are also exploring printing on three-dimensional objects and thus breaking into market segments that are entirely new to Heidelberg. Overall, we estimate that the digital sector offers us sales potential of more than 200 million euro per year (US$260 million) in the medium term.’

An unnamed inkjet label press heads-up this strategy. A prototype for beta testing is due to appear in autumn. It could even appear at Labelexpo in Chicago. It will include unspecified Fujifilm drop-on-demand piezoelectric printheads, with Gallus supplying the main frame, web transport, UV flexo units, cold foiling and diecutting equipment. The mock-up version shown used a Gallus ECS 340 platform. Jennifer Renner, Gallus’s director of digital, confirmed that optional LED UV curing was possible, while the Fujifilm ink set will include an opaque white and two hexachrome colors. It will be the first Gallus press to incorporate Heidelberg’s established Prinect Digital Print Manager package. This key component facilitates the integration of digital, flexo and offset workflows for different market segments.