February 25, 2003 -- The Power Printer East University opens on March 7, 2003, at the company Bauer Druck of Vienna, Austria. The learning institution was created to provide hands-on training to eastern Europe's printers on MAN Roland systems in real operations. The main problems of eastern Europe's printing industry are its weak infrastructures and outdated equipment. Training centers have inadequate financial support and limited manpower. Knowledgeable experts can be difficult to find, and pressmen often have difficulties operating modern systems, not to mention using the latest substrates and varnishes. In turn this can cause problems in the presses themselves. The quality potential of an MAN Roland press isn't always achieved. Deadlines aren't kept, and customers are unsatisfied. The idea An idea was developed that is designed to increase eastern Europe's competitiveness in the international market and to secure the region's capabilities over the long term: press personnel should see how things are done here, and train in Austrian companies – with training to take place in real production work, because pressline operations in the real world take place in less-than-perfect conditions, in contrast to those of simulated training. The Power Printer East University was born. Implementing the idea Making the idea a reality meant finding partners who had the space for such training, in addition to the latest press systems, since these would be the ones trainees would work on. Also, partner companies had to be willing to pass on their know-how, and place their employees at the disposal of the guest trainees during full production operations. The partners Bauer Druck was receptive to the initiative, which was put forward by MAN Roland Osterreich (Austria). Engineer Michael Bauer thought it was a good idea, and Bauer Druck became the project's first partner. In March the Power Printer East University starts the first individualized training for Polish customers. Students will begin with the field of offset production, but training doesn't stop there. Plans call for project expansion, to include digital printing as well as prepress and finishing. Now, thoughts are even being directed toward creating a Power Printer East University model for rotary applications. Naturally, training is not intended solely for participants from eastern Europe. Austrian customers are also free to train their employees on the latest in press technology. For more information about the Power Printer East University, contact Mr. Alexander Elbs of MAN Roland Austria at tel. +43 (0)1 506 61-123.