Heidelberg

Earlier this week the following article appeared in a Reuters news release: manroland, the world's second-biggest maker of printing presses, has called off merger talks with Heidelberg due to poor financial results at its troubled larger rival, three sources familiar with the matter said. “Under the circumstances it is not defensible in view of the responsibility that manroland has to its customers and employees,” one person told Reuters on Monday. manroland's majority owner Allianz Capital Partners and minority partner MAN didn't like what they saw in due diligence, the source continued.

manroland has called off merger talks with Heidelberg due to poor financial results at its troubled larger rival, three sources familiar with the matter said.

CLINTON TWP., MI—A coldset printer for 20 years, Macomb Printing has installed a five-color Solna heatset web press. According to Ron Bracali, Macomb president, the move into heatset allows the unionized printer to offer more products to existing clients while expanding its customer base. Other acquisitions include a five-color Heidelberg SM 52 sheetfed press and an eight-pocket Muller Martini saddle stitcher. The company produces contract books, catalogs, tabloids, flyers, newsletters and postcards.

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY—Management and employee representatives for Heidelberger Druckmaschinen have come to terms on a plan to eliminate redundancy and enable the troubled manufacturer to remain viable. As a result, roughly 1,500 positions will be eliminated at six of Heidelberg's German facilities during the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Of the total, 1,300 will be lost jobs and 200 are "mutually acceptable" relationship terminations, likely buyouts and/or retirement packages.

Management and employee representatives agree on 1,500 jobs cut through socially acceptable measures for financial year 2009/2010.

FRANKFURT, GERMANY—In a matter of weeks, a decision could be made on whether Heidelberger Druckmaschinen and manroland AG will pursue formal merger talks, according to Reuters. An unnamed source was quoted as saying that some issues were still to be resolved, chief among them the reception to such a deal by the German government following recent elections. Reuters cited the Platow Brief newsletter, which reported that a merger plan could be formed early this month.

Roundup of the latest Heidelberg USA product installations in the United States.

Concord Litho, the pride of the New Hampshire town that bears its name, has captured more than 50 awards in the past three years from entries in various worldwide printing contests. Augmenting the powerful designs and superior printing jobs from this independent web and sheetfed printer, in some cases, is a breath of fresh air in the form of chocolate, fresh-cut grass, popcorn, Oreo cookies and pickles. Yes, pickles.

For postpress, there was cause for optimism. While binding and finishing gear, in general, has a long life span, there was some speculation that printers looking to buy may opt for these types of upgrades/additions, which constitutes a far cheaper investment/risk in a sour economy than does a multi-million-dollar printing press.

PRINT 09 sheetfed and web offset press exhibitors were all singing the same tune that the "holy grail" to achieving profitability in these tough times lies in a print shop's 
efficiency—quick makereadies, waste reduction, higher productivity with less people, as well as value-added capabilities to diversify and differentiate one's offerings.