KENNESAW, Ga., Sept.18, 2003 — Heidelberg today announced it has sold 18 Digimaster 9150i print systems to Alaniz, LLC of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, marking Heidelberg’s largest sale to date of its highest-speed black-and-white digital press. Installation will begin this month. Alaniz purchased the print systems based on the outstanding performance of the six Digimaster 9150i presses it has been using since earlier this year. The sale will bring to 24 the number of Digimaster 9150i presses at Alaniz. “Buying 18 presses is a large investment for our business,” said Randy Seberg, president, Alaniz, LLC. “We have no doubt that the Heidelberg Digimaster 9150i printer is the best choice to meet our challenging workflow requirements for producing innovative products.” Alaniz creates a broad range of direct mail pieces distributed by non-profit organizations, from personalized address labels and cards to personalized letters and notepads. It employs the Digimaster 9150i systems to create some of the most complex variable data jobs produced in the U.S. An industry pioneer, Alaniz has created proprietary business tools, including its own paper-sorting software, specialized glues and pressure-sensitive labels. The company maintains a culture that embraces new innovation and possesses a drive to exceed benchmark performance. As a result, Alaniz seeks suppliers that are willing to help develop customized solutions that will meet specific challenges. “We are proud that one of the nation’s leading direct mailers has placed such confidence in Heidelberg and our digital solutions,” said Bill Blair, senior vice president, Digital, Heidelberg USA. “Alaniz was looking for a superior product and a creative partner that could continue to offer innovative solutions to complex problems.” The Digimaster 9150i print system, which runs at speeds up to 150 images per minute, has continuous run capability. This allows printers to reload one paper supply while running work from another. The advanced paper-handling and registration systems enable the heaviest of papers to feed reliably and the most flexible document configurations to be produced. The Digimaster 9150i system also enables seamless configuration with other machines, a direct paper path and a small footprint — all crucial elements Alaniz was looking for. “We had been using another print manufacturer’s digital black-and-white machines, but quite simply, Heidelberg’s Digimaster 9150i system can print like no other device on the market,” Seberg said. “It feeds and handles gloss stocks better and produces up to 35 percent more output on those stocks. It also gets twice as much overall output as the competition for every square foot, given the small footprint of the modular configuration.” Heidelberg’s Professional Services, delivered by the Workflow Consulting Group and made up of Heidelberg engineers and application specialists, helps customers increase profitability by optimizing process efficiency. The Workflow Consulting Group, tasked with offering workflow customization, worked closely with Alaniz to define the specific workflow requirements of its direct-mail operation to achieve its long-term business goals. “Heidelberg realizes we are in an era where productivity and profitability requirements involve a different solution for each customer,” said Wolfgang Pfizenmaier, president of Heidelberg’s Digital Print Solution Center. “For Alaniz, we were able to develop a customized solution that will continue to help the company operate more efficiently and produce greater print volumes.” Heidelberg workflow consultants worked with Alaniz to fully understand the company’s performance expectations and implemented a multi-phase approach to define specifications and develop viable solutions. The group worked collaboratively with Alaniz and third-party software providers to customize the output management software tools to match its functionality to the innovative manufacturing process Alaniz has developed. The group will continue to work with Alaniz during and after the installation phase. “It is refreshing to work with a company like Heidelberg that embraces change and partners with me to develop improvements on equipment and workflow to surpass benchmark production efficiencies,” Seberg said. “These innovations have immense applications across the industry."