Kennesaw, GA -- 1-24-01-- Heidelberg USA and Steuer Printing Technology announced today that Heidelberg has assumed the distributorship including all service activities for the Steuer Foil-Jet product line in Heidelberg's North and South America markets. The agreement was finalized on January 1, 2002. Under the agreement, Heidelberg sales and service units will be responsible for all marketing and sales in their respective territories, as well as hardware and software service, technical support and parts supply for the Foil-Jet series of hot foil stamping and embossing presses. "With more and more sophistication on printed products, Heidelberg delivers another link in the overall print production, offering our customers an even more complete solution for print product manufacturing," said Niels M. Winther, president and CEO, Heidelberg, USA. Winther is responsible for Heidelberg's North American market center The Foil-Jet product line was first introduced to the graphic arts market at Drupa 1995 and immediately made a positive impression. With 12.000 impressions per hour, the Foil-Jet sets a totally new standard in hot-foil stamping and embossing. The key to this success is the new principle of rotary application of the foil. Key players in the folding carton, in the greeting card and the security printing industry have experienced improved productivity and the enhanced profitability in finishing from this technology, and many have purchased multiple machines. The technology has also been used to imprint holograms on the new Euro currency in Europe. Armin Steuer, founder and president of Steuer Printing Technology in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany, reveals that components of the foil-stamping press are derived from the Heidelberg Speedmaster 102: "We are in a close relationship with Heidelberg for the technology of our Foil-Jet. Speedmaster 102 feeder and delivery technology and other major Speedmaster components are built into our new press. Now this relationship extends into our marketing and sales efforts. Heidelberg's expertise in sales and service now will handle the Foil-Jet perfectly, providing a great advantage to our customers."