Kennesaw, GA – Heidelberg USA has announced the launch of its North American Print and Packaging Technology Center (Technology Center) in Kennesaw, Ga. The new name describes the state-of-the-art multi-use facility and is intended to reflect Heidelberg's response to a shift in customer preference to an unhurried, in-depth learning experience. The 40,000-sq.-ft. facility houses a wide range of Heidelberg equipment and represents the breadth and depth of Heidelberg's vast portfolio, which includes a full array of prepress, press, postpress and packaging equipment, Prinect workflow, and Saphira consumable products.

"Since its inauguration in 2005, our demonstration facility has served as a comprehensive resource for our customers and for the industry," said Jim Dunn, president, Heidelberg USA. "Whether it is used to demonstrate our equipment or Saphira consumables, test a substrate, or to host an industry event or meeting, the Technology Center can help printers become more capable, profitable and competitive."

To support customer demand for product demonstrations, the Technology Center currently offers 36 pieces of prepress, press and postpress equipment plus workflow solutions designed to help printers run more efficient and profitable businesses. Soon to be installed is the game-changing Speedmaster SM 52 with Anicolor technology, Heidelberg's compelling answer to short-run, nonvariable digital printing. Thus equipped, the Technology Center continues to offer the largest array of prepress, press, postpress, workflow, consumable and service solutions on display anywhere in the world outside of Germany. The Technology Center also offers both live remote and videotaped demonstrations of selected product solutions. All demos are offered in Spanish, French, German and English.

"Since we expanded the Technology Center to include equipment from our packaging portfolio, there has been a surge in interest, specifically in die cutters and folder-gluers-even during this economy," said Russ Barton, director of demo operations, Heidelberg USA. "Now, by expanding our video demo capability, customers not only can attend demos in person, but can include other key decision makers to 'virtually' attend demos without leaving their shops."

Recent visitors to the North American Printing and Packaging Technology Center had these additional comments:

"Coming here to the Heidelberg Technology Center I can see all of Heidelberg's products and supplies, spend more time on equipment I want to see and have an ample amount of time to speak with a Heidelberg technician," said Brian Overholt, Supervisor, Muncie Novelty. "The techs you speak with here are the people that actually run and service the equipment. It's more of a hands-on atmosphere with no pressure to rush through. Everyone should take full advantage of this excellent learning opportunity."

"These days, time spent out of the office has to be time well spent. There was a lot to take in during my visit, so much that I'm planning another trip so I can dive deeper into some of Heidelberg's offerings," said Jim Dobrzynski, Sr., president, Crossmark Graphics. "Heidelberg's Business Consulting team presented the results of an audit for a customer who has a similar business model, and I was blown away by their results and intrigued by what we could achieve by implementing a process customized for us."

The Technology Center is open to customers, vendors, educational institutions, and industry associations for meetings, conferences and other needs.