December 8th, 2004 - As part of its worldwide sales alignment, Goss International has appointed Heidelberg South Africa as its exclusive agent for the South African market. According to the agreement, Heidelberg South Africa will handle sales of the full range of Goss products including commercial, insert and newspaper web presses and high-volume postpress equipment. In addition, the company will provide all aftermarket and parts services across the country. Heidelberg South Africa has well-established sales and service resources and solid market knowledge in the South African market. This new working relationship expands the capabilities of both organizations with a highly responsive sales force as well as new product and service offerings. For George Green, Heidelberg South Africa's Product Manager for the Goss range, the agreement signifies a career development, which has now come full circle. "It was working for Goss in the 1970s, installing Metroliner presses, that I first came to South Africa. I immediately fell in love with the country and decided to stay. Since then I have run my own company servicing and repairing web offset presses and later joined Heidelberg where I have been for 14 years. "I'm delighted to be leading a team selling the Goss brand once again, and without a doubt Goss International will benefit from a single-minded focus on web offset print applications in South Africa. This country was described as a 'garden' for Goss back in the 1970s when I first came here and Goss newspaper presses were by far the market leader. I feel optimistic today that with the strongest web offset product portfolio and the powerful combination of the best and most innovative technologies, we will be able to make it their garden once again." Commenting on the new relationship, Jacques Navarre, Senior Vice President European sales, Goss International said. "We are glad to be able to fully utilize the resources Heidelberg South Africa has to offer to establish a stronger market position for all Goss products and services in the country. Our customers will have the benefit of frequent close communication with a trusted single-source provider that truly knows the peculiarities of the South African industry and understands the pressures and requirements they feel. This new distribution channel will provide Goss commercial and newspaper customers with greater access to Goss' high-performance printing technologies and technical expertise."