Converting

Heidelberg is ready to take on die-cutter market leader Bobst at Drupa, where it will show several machines for the packaging industry, board member Dr Jürgen Rautert said last week.

Rautert, Heidelberg's executive board member for engineering and products, said the firm's die-cutters could now match the makeready times of those from Bobst's SPanthera range, as the firm hosted a pre-Drupa event at its Wiesloch factory in Germany.

Heidelberg said it would show the Dymatrix 106 Pro CSB, Dymatrix 145 CSB and Varimatrix 105 CS die-cutters at Drupa, which takes place in Düsseldorf from 29 May to 11 June.

The Dymatrix 106 Pro CSB includes a new optical sheet sensor that uses the image rather than the sheet edge for alignment.

Heidelberg will also show the new Diana X 115 folder gluer, which can be configured to produce almost an unlimited range of folding cartons.

Rautert said the Diana X 115 was "as flexible as a Swiss army knife" and packaging companies could "virtually design their own machine".

The Speedmaster XL 145 and 162, the latest additions to the firm's range of large-format presses, will also be on Heidelberg's Drupa stand.

The Dymatrix 145 CSB meets the finishing needs of the Speedmaster XL 145.

Rautert said Heidelberg would "not fight on price" on very large format machines, but aimed to "convince on output".

Following the acquisition of converting equipment specialist Jagenberg in 2002, Heidelberg integrated all its services, and in 2004 all spare parts from the Jagenberg factory were absorbed into the Heidelberg system.

Rautert also said European and US machinery manufacturers should not underestimate the threat posed by Chinese rivals.

He said: "I think every machine manufacturer, even outside the print industry, must take the Chinese seriously and I think we've to take them seriously today."

Heidelberg set up a company in China in September 2006 to serve the domestic market.