KENNESAW, Ga., August 2, 2004 – Heidelberg USA is proud to announce its Speedmaster SM 52 D with inline die-cutting press has won the prestigious PIA/GATF InterTech Award for innovation, the only offset press in the industry that achieved these honors this year. This marks the 21st InterTech Award Heidelberg has won since the program began in 1978. The Speedmaster SM 52 D was chosen by an anonymous committee of industry experts and users for its breakthrough developments in the graphic communications industry. The InterTech Awards drew more than 30 entries this year from the industry's top manufacturers. PIA/GATF awarded only the top 13 technologies. The Speedmaster SM 52 D combines offset technology with finishing capabilities, making it an industry first. In addition to die-cutting, the press offers other inline finishing options, including scoring, slitting, punching and perforating. A special new design of the finishing unit and innovations in process and technology help customers lower throughput times and enable more creative pieces in a single pass. The Speedmaster SM 52 D is the first press specifically with inline finishing in mind. Dies are mounted with magnets instead of clamps which speed up the make-readies. The press can be also equipped with a new vacuum waste removal system. Stocks of any thickness can be finished up to the maximum that the Speedmaster SM 52 can handle. The SM 52 D with inline die-cutting comes with the Prinect CP2000 Center that allows for the possibility of adopting job and presetting data (inking/register) online plus setting the register and punching depth with absolute precision. "This award only reinforces Heidelberg’s commitment to our leadership role in our core sheetfed business," said Joerg Daehnhardt, director, small format presses for Heidelberg USA. "Through innovations like the Speedmaster SM 52 D, we look to continue providing our customers and the industry with the most innovative, profitable and productive systems on the market. Through our extensive research and development programs, we provide our customers with the most options for success. This award is a testament to that."