WOA 04 -- Getting a Jump On Drupa 2004

PI: Given the maturity of the technology, what areas of development are sheetfed press manufacturers likely to focus on—new press formats, more automation, greater speeds, others?

MASON: Obviously, press manufacturers are under considerable pressure in the marketplace. They must contend with excess print capacity among their existing customers, and with increased competition from the new digital machines. At the lower end of the market, I expect digital presses to prevail. Sheetfed press manufacturers will focus on the higher end of the market, and do so with products that will enable their customers to enhance printed products with coatings and special effects that are often done off-line today. I also expect them to promote further labor reduction through faster makeready, auto-mation in areas such as ink replenishment and cleanup, and the latest in JDF-enabled functions.