Heidelberg will launch the world’s first B1 sheetfed inkjet press at the upcoming drupa trade mega show in May/June. The world’s biggest offset press manufacturer will have the new Primewire 106 seven colour single sided press on its stand and available to buy. Built on a classic Heidelberg chassis with Heidelberg paper handling the Primewire 106 has Fujifilm Samba inkjet heads to provide the imaging. Heidelberg will also launch the Gallus Labelfire at drupa, a webfed inkjet label press. It will also rebrand its Linoprint range as Versafire.

World first: Heidelberg’s B1 sheetfed inkjet press

There will be no new offset presses at drupa. The launch of digital cements Heidelberg’s future direction, as the world moves away from analogue technology. Heidelberg will also continue to focus on service and consumables, which now contribute around half of the company’s revenue. The launch of the Primewire 106 comes as a direct challenge to Benny Landa and his nano print technology. Landa has said there will be an S10 B1 folding carton press on show at drupa, but no word yet as to whether it will be available to buy. Instead it is Heidelberg from the old guard that ash stolen a march in the new era, and may have set the future direction for the whole industry.  

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter