Despite the general weakness in the economy, MAN Roland has been able last year to realize a number of successful sheet-fed press projects in both Latin America and Asia. Demand for ROLAND 700 in Venezuela In 2002, the sheet-fed press market throughout Latin America suffered not only from the widespread economic weakness but, on top of it and in particular, from the crisis in Argentina. Just the same, MAN Roland has enjoyed in this world region - especially in Venezuela - an increasing demand for presses of the ROLAND 700 series. A ROLAND 705 3B LV was ordered by packaging and label printer Poligrafica Industrial C.A., and a ROLAND 704 by Intenso Offset C.A., specializing in commercials, book printing and magazines. Another sheet-fed machine from Offenbach - in this case a ROLAND 706 LV - went to Gráficas Armitano C.A., also in Caracas. The new press will be used primarily for producing high-quality books. Asia Pacific sales region the fastest-growing economic area in the world Having successfully consolidated its leadership in the Chinese market for newspaper presses, the company now sees numerous interesting opportunities opening up also in that country's sheet-fed market: the new MAN Roland trading company in Shanghai will in future allow optimum market coverage close to customers. At the same time, the MAN Roland branch office in Shenzhen has been expanded in space and personnel. At the opening ceremony for the new office, the local Shenzhen Blue Star Art Printing Company and the New Spring Group signed buying contracts for a ROLAND 704 und two ROLAND 505 LV. Man Sang, Hong Kong again adds to its MAN Roland machinery MAN Roland's biggest Asian sheet-fed press customer - Man Sang in Hong Kong - in 2002 ordered four additional machines with 20 printing units: one each ROLAND 906 and 704 plus two ROLAND 705. All ROLAND 700 presses are equipped with the PECOM process automation system. So far, 46 printing units from MAN Roland Offenbach are already in operation at Man Sang. Sales achievements in Korea and Thailand The MAN Roland branch in Seoul, South Korea, successfully completed various projects in 2002: a total number of 55 printing units in 3B format was sold to different customers last year. A ROLAND 704 went to Won Dang in Kyungnam. Good news about the past year is also reported from Thailand: in order to further strengthen its leading position in the Thailand market, the Amarin printing and publishing enterprise ordered, as part of an extensive three-year plan, no fewer than five ROLAND 700 sheet-fed presses from Offenbach. The decision to invest in latest printing technology from MAN Roland, was based to a crucial extent on the PECOM networking for a transparent workflow with reliable and verifiable product quality. Stepped-up activities in Japan In addition, MAN Roland hopes - as a result of taking over the majority interest in its Japanese sales and service partner DIC-MAN ROLAND and its stepped-up marketing activities in the country - to re-achieve a stronger footing in the Japanese sheet-fed press market as well.