Heidelberg & Ricoh Enter Into Global Contract

Ricoh and Heidelberg agreed upon a new global distribution contract. Under it Heidelberg will begin selling Ricoh's latest color digital press, the Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition, as well as appropriate future production printing offerings in Ricoh's pipeline.

The global strategic cooperation, which includes Ricoh services and support, will start in April. The first markets will be the U.K. and Germany with a phased rollout to follow in other geographies. Completion is targeted for Drupa 2012.

The new partners will exhibit together for the first time at the digi:media trade show, in Dusseldorf, Germany from April 7 - 9. The Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition digital press will be an integral part of the live production at the booth and its flexible interaction with the Speedmaster SM 52 Anicolor sheetfed offset press will show the opportunities and benefits that cross-technology print production can bring.

The partnership will support Heidelberg by growing its core offset business and enabling it to offer more flexibility to clients. By adding Ricoh's digital production printing technology, printers will be able to offer the advantages of variable data printing, instant delivery of urgent print jobs and cost effective production of shorter run lengths.

Heidelberg's and Ricoh's future plans include integration with Heidelberg's industry standard workflow solution in the graphic arts industry, Prinect, as well as joint development activities for future printing applications.