Heidelberg Middle East (ME) has partnered with Ricoh to offer digital solutions in the region under the name Heidelberg Linoprint.
The deal, announced on 21 May, was followed by a statement from the German print giant on 11 June that it plans to launch a digital labelling system based on Fujifilm technology.
Due to be unveiled in the autumn, the digital press is to follow a planned 100% takeover of Gallus, through which Ferdinand Ruesch – owner of Gallus – would gain a 9% share in Heidelberg.
Heidelberg CEO Dr Gerold Linzbach said the acquisition is to “achieve fast and profitable growth in the digital label sector”.
In the Middle East, Heidelberg’s digital expansion with Ricoh targets short runs, variable data and quick turnaround digital printing, said Heidelberg ME.
Heidelberg claims its tally of more than 400 Linoprint digital system sales proves it is “the only manufacturer in the industry to successfully integrate digital and offset applications”.
To build up digital sales in the Middle East, Heidelberg has picked as business development manager Mohammed Sadeq, who bring “a rich industry background” and “a successful track record in digital print industry”.
General manager Zeid Al Jehni said Heidelberg ME will be introducing digital technology across the print process.
“From prepress to offset and flexo, from commercial to industrial packaging, Heidelberg is adding digital to its portfolio,” he said.
“Customers will benefit from Heidelberg’s experience in the region to offer the highest quality digital printing with the best integration with the pressroom workflow.”
Mazen El-Tibi, regional sales and marketing director, added that Heidelberg Prinect will integrate offset with digital to “add value to the offset printer for the shorter runs and for on demand printing solutions”.
Heidelberg is poised to overhaul its operations to adjust its business model in light of offset’s long-term market challenges, the company announced last week.
“The portfolio analysis conducted last year showed that the only way to achieve economic success in some product areas is to switch to new business models,” said the firm.
“Over the next six months, the company is therefore planning to take decisions on discontinuing some operations or radically altering the vertical range of manufacture, in some cases with the involvement of partners.”