Heidelberg to Host Operator Training Classes on Folding

KENNESAW, GA—February 1, 2008—As part of its ongoing commitment to print industry education, Heidelberg’s Print Media Academy will host operator training classes on basic and advanced folding techniques this month at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, Minn. The training classes, which are open to the public, will be conducted on an automated Heidelberg Stahlfolder TH 66 folder, and will assist operators of small and mid-size businesses in building their knowledge and skills on some of the industry’s most advanced folding equipment.

“Well-trained operators are a critical component to the success of every print shop,” said Dan Maurer, director of postpress product management for Heidelberg USA. “We are offering these training classes to help printers maximize their investments by improving their staff’s skills, which ultimately will provide increased uptime, shorter makereadies and a better understanding of the equipment.”

Part of Heidelberg’s full lineup of postpress equipment solutions, which also includes cutters, binders, saddlestitchers, die cutters and folding carton gluers, the Stahlfolder TH 66 folder is fully automated and equipped with the latest in folding technology to reduce make-ready and changeover time. “High-performance postpress equipment such as the Stahlfolder TH 66 is a perfect entry point for smaller printers, who frequently outsource finishing,” Maurer said. “By completing jobs from beginning to end and streamlining the entire process in-house, printers can increase productivity while cutting overall costs.”

Operators that have little to no experience on folding equipment may attend the basic folding techniques class, which offers practical folding techniques and practices for high-quality results. The advanced folding techniques class will focus on high-level folding practices, including gatefolding, map folding and other specialty folds.

Classes are open to the public and are not limited to Heidelberg customers. The class schedule is as follows:

• Basic Folding Techniques: Folding principles and techniques, practical folding, fold roller and buckle plate settings, scoring, perforating and trimming. Classes are offered on February 5-6 and February 7-8.

• Advanced Folding Techniques: Folding techniques, specialty folds, gatefolding, scoring, perforating, trimming and map folding. Classes are offered on February 11-12 and February 14-15.

All classes will be held at the Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park Campus at 9000 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park, Minn. 55445. Tuition for either class is $150 per attendee. To register, call (800) 394-4872 or email ken.academyregistrar@heidelberg.com. For further information or to pre-register, visit www.us.heidelberg.comand click on “Print Media Academy.”

Through its Print Media Academy, Heidelberg offers hands-on experiences for all size print shops through training programs across the country and worldwide. On an ongoing basis, small businesses can find additional support through Heidelberg’s Printers Advantage program at www.printersadvantage.com. The program connects small businesses with a wealth of information for all areas of the print shop. Among the site features are an “Ask the Experts” section for posing questions directly to Heidelberg experts, ongoing news and product updates and a Small Business Assistance program complete with links to training videos, white papers and other industry resources.

To learn more about Heidelberg solutions and training programs, visit www.us.heidelberg.com .

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
With a global market share for sheetfed offset printing machines of more than 40 percent, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is the world’s leading solution provider for commercial and industrial customers in the print media industry. Headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, the Company focuses on the entire process and value chain for popular format classes in the sheetfed offset and flexographic printing sectors. Apart from printing presses, the product portfolio includes plate imaging devices and finishing equipment, as well as software components designed to integrate all print manufacturing processes. In addition, Heidelberg offers a wide range of spare parts, consumables, used equipment and services, along with extensive training programs provided by the Print Media Academy. Furthermore, the Company assists its customers’ investment plans by offering financing concepts.