Heidelberg Demo Center Is Unveiled

KENNESAW, GA—Touted as its largest Print Media Demonstration Center (PMDC) in the world, Heidelberg showcased the newly expanded, 33,000-square-foot facility during a President's Night gala held here on May 25th. The event was attended by some 300 printers from throughout North America.

Housing a range of prepress, press and postpress equipment and workflow solutions, the PMDC will serve as a venue where prospective and existing customers can run actual test jobs, as well as a site for hands-on tutorials, meetings and conferences. The center required a 12˝-thick continuous concrete slab with rebar and 4,000 amps of power consumption.

The special event also marked the U.S. debut of the Speedmaster XL 105 sheetfed press--which was first shown at DRUPA 2004--running in the new PMDC at speeds of 18,000 sph. The first in the company's new series of high-end presses known as "Peak Performance Class," press enhancements to the 29.5x41.3˝ XL 105 include a new feeder, Air-Transfer sheet transport system and an integrated inking/ dampening system.

With an elaborate banquet hall set up in its former parts warehouse (that has been relocated to Indianapolis to allow faster shipping times), special welcome addresses were provided by Heidelberg CEO Bernhard Schreier, Heidelberg Americas President Marcel Kiessling and Heidelberg USA President James Dunn. Andy Paparozzi, NAPL chief economist, also spoke about the future of the industry.

In a private interview, Schreier stressed the importance of the new demo center. "Customers want to see and run their jobs on the equipment. It's also about workflow. 'How can I get more efficient than I am today?' "