2005 Market outlook year in review -- Cheers to 2004

The year started out on shaky ground for the industry, with rumors that Heidelberg planned to sell off its web systems business and digital printing division, as well as reduce its worldwide work force by up to 1,000 employees.

Eventually, the whispers became a reality as the other players in these deals were revealed. Heidelberg's web systems business was purchased by Goss International and Eastman Kodak gobbled up Heidelberg's 50 percent stake in the digital division. Heidelberg announced it would concentrate on the sheetfed offset printing market and its related value chain.