June 26, 2007 -- The more than 150 participants were among the first in the world to see the new ROLAND 700 HiPrint in action. The 41-inch press is designed to be the mainstream choice for the majority of printing facilities, delivering advanced productivity and versatility.
 
The “Hi” stands for high quality, and the new press line can be equipped with MAN Roland’s exclusive array of inline quality control enhancements. Continuing the tradition of MAN Roland’s innovative solutions, the ROLAND 700 HiPrint can also be configured with any of the unique inline advancements that integrate the application of special effects, makeready savings, and productivity enhancements into the printing process.
 
Bringing that development to life, Open House attendees were treated to a live demonstration from makeready to job completion of the ROLAND 700 HiPrint working in conjunction with MAN Roland’s InlineFoiler Prindor. The innovation allows printers to apply foil effects while the job prints, all in a single pass. That adds maximum value to a printing project at minimal cost. Erwin Geyer, Business Unit Leader, Medium Format Sheetfed Presses for MAN Roland Druckmaschinen, presented the new ROLAND 700 innovations.
 
The ROLAND 500 also performed, demonstrating from makeready to job completion its ability to bring printers new business with its versatile capabilities and package-printing prowess. The six-up press equips printers to handle shorter and faster turnaround runs more efficiently. And with an operating speed that’s fastest in its class, the ROLAND 500 can also cost effectively compete against 40-inch equipment. Those attributes were presented by Albrecht Bachus, Business Unit Leader, Small Format Sheetfed Presses for MAN Roland Druckmaschinen.
 
In addition to the press demonstrations, the Open House featured expert presentations on a variety of topics relating to printer profitability:
 
- An analysis of current global trends in the graphic arts was delivered by Hans Hassold, Vice President, Business Sector, Sheetfed Presses for MAN Roland Druckmaschinen.

- Hal Stratton, Director of New Technology at MAN Roland, explored the latest breakthroughs in Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) and Color Control/Grey Balance. Stratton is former president of the Networked Graphic Production (NGP) group and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA).
 
- TelePresence, MAN Roland’s remote diagnostic system, was demonstrated by Matt Braun, Director of National Service.

- Joe Arrigo, Prepress Applications Specialist, showcased the ability of printnet PressManager Perfect to makeready a press while the previous job is still printing.

- An overview of MAN Roland presses and a visual tour of the Graphic Center was provided by Jon Surch, Vice President Sheetfed Service Operations.

Vince Lapinski, CEO of MAN Roland Inc., hosted the event. “Printers are being pulled in two directions at once,“ he says. “They need to utilize new applications and differentiate themselves from the competition, while lowering their cost of production. This Open House presented and demonstrated the technology that allows them to accomplish both goals at the same time, while expanding their profit margins.”
 
The Open House was preceded by a golf tournament at the Willow Crest Golf Club and a group dinner at the Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort. Those activities gave participants an opportunity to get reacquainted with their industry colleagues.