Heidelberg

Bob Mesch has never been one to shirk a challenge. Now director of the State of New Mexico’s Printing & Graphic Services operation, Mesch has been breaking new ground and inspiring transformation throughout his career. His drive to advance and enhance the organizations he has served is now reshaping the state’s in-plant as well, turning it from a black-and-white letterhead printer into a full-color, full-service graphics operation.

With traditional offset exhibitors like Heidelberg giving the Chicago trade show a pass, the digital print vendors were the new kings. Xerox, Canon, Konica Minolta and Fujifilm led the pack in booth size, and each of them had new inkjet production presses to proclaim.

One day before PRINT 13 opened, the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) inducted 15 industry leaders into the Soderstrom Society, named for the late Walter E. Soderstrom, one of the founders of NAPL. The Soderstrom award recognizes the contributions of industry leaders, including printing firm owners, equipment manufacturers, consultants, and educators.

There is no sugar coating the challenging economic climate that exists in the printing industry, and Marcel Kiessling is well aware of it. Kiessling, a member of the management board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG who also heads up the sales and service segments, doesn't think that is cause for taking a negative outlook, however, and it's not a case of pollyanna hopefulness.

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has improved its operating result in the first quarter of financial year 2013/2014 (April 1 to June 30, 2013), which puts it on the right track for meeting its target of a positive net result for the year.

The PRINT 13 trade show emphasizes the trend toward the Great Diversification Movement. The printing industry is enduring some violent changes from a technology standpoint. With the decade-long trend toward shorter runs continuing, digital printing—especially inkjet—stepping up its game, and electronic alternatives continuing to harvest market share, diversification is on the lips of many printers as they prepare to trek to Chicago for the quadrennial Fall classic.

Spend just a few minutes with David "Jerry" Hill, the new California State Printer, and you'll feel like you've been friends for years. His cordial demeanor puts newcomers at ease as he quickly launches into stories from his long life in the printing business. And having spent nearly every one of his 66 years in a print shop, Hill has a lot of tales to tell.

Heidelberg USA's new go-to-market strategy takes a highly-individualized, consultative sales approach, using its broad portfolio of products and services. Implementation of the new marketing strategy on several fronts will preclude Heidelberg’s attendance at PRINT 13.

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has reached a key milestone on its way to long-term profitability by meeting its own forecasts.

While many printers are watching their volumes head south, things are a little different for Arkansas State University Printing Services. “Our volume just keeps growing, and the amount of work and the revenue we generate for the university keeps growing,” says David Maloch, assistant director of the nine-employee in-plant. “So they like us over here.”