A new very large format (VLF) press from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) went into production on the occasion of an inauguration event, which recently took place at the QuadWinkowski production site in Radzymin, in the vicinity of Warsaw. The machine, in a five color configuration with coating unit, is targeted to produce large format point of sales displays with highest quality requirements. The machine was installed in the former web offset production plant IMC, part of QuadWinkowski, which had been acquired by US-based print giant Quad/Graphics in 2008.

"The Radzymin plant will hold primary responsibility for our production of POS displays", explains Tom Frankowski, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, Quad/Graphics. "We clearly consider the market for large format displays, which we will distribute on a global basis, as growth opportunity for our company."

Meeting business and environmental targets at the same time Standardized print production is a key element for QuadWinkowski to deliver the highest possible quality to the market. Consequently, Heidelberg's Inline Color Measurement Device, Prinect Inpress Control plays an important role in the production process. "The key success factor is to produce the highest quality available with the lowest possible paper waste. This is crucial for the environment and the balance sheet at the same time", states Tom Frankowski. "The Heidelberg press was designed exactly to meet these requirements. We are proud that we were involved in the machine development - the outcome is just breathtaking. Our machine operators call the Speedmaster VLF press "a printing machine for printers" because there is no other press available in the market that meets the needs of printers in a better way - it is fast, reliable and easy to handle - all at the same time".

QuadWinkowski employs 150 staff at the Radzymin production site, producing in four shifts, working seven days a week.

Stephan Plenz, member of the Heidelberg Management Board, responsible for Equipment, presented the new press during the opening event in Poland. "For QuadWinkowski, the Speedmaster XL 162 is a perfect fit for their short run and high quality display work. Due to the fact that the XL family provides the highest level of automation throughout the entire market, this machine helps QuadWinkowski to achieve highest quality with an absolute minimum of production waste."

Tadeusz Winkowski, Chairman of the QuadWinkowski Supervisory Board and former President of the company in Poland, pointed out the close cooperation with Heidelberg during the R&D phase of VLF project.

With 4.500 square meters the Radzymin plant provides enough floor space for additional offline processing like e.g. silkscreen printing and laminating, as well as die-cutting and distribution processing. The press room also provides additional space and, according to Tom Frankowski, there are plans to add another Heidelberg press in the same or a similar configuration in the near future.