MINNEAPOLIS, MN, February 18, 2004 – In the offset printing world, where web press speeds frequently approach 1,000 feet per minute, web splicers are commonplace. In the toner-based digital printing world, where only the Delphax CR1300 digital web press reaches speeds of 300 feet per minute and higher, flying splicers were unheard of – until now. Delphax Technologies Inc. and Keene Technologies, Inc. (KTI) have teamed up for another digital “first”, marrying a flying splicer to the Delphax CR1300 digital web press. With the introduction of a flying splicer on its industry-leading ultra high-speed press for commercial printing, Delphax has again pushed the marketing envelope in demonstrating its commitment to improving productivity in the high-volume, digital, black-and-white web press marketplace. Last year, at On Demand Expo in New York, Delphax Technologies Inc. spearheaded the first completely in-line digital book production process on a trade show floor where they, in conjunction with their Books for Schools partners, produced and donated over 6,000 books to the New York City public school system. The production line paused only when a paper roll was used up and needed to be replaced. At this year’s event, with the addition of KTI’s web splicer, there will be no stopping the production process or the continuous stream of classic novels that will again be produced and donated to New York City schools and show attendees. The Delphax CR Series printer has a unique, tight-web design, that improves the system’s ability to run at industry-leading speeds, provides excellent front-to-back print registration, and provides an outstanding platform to handle a wide range of substrate materials from very lightweight to heavy card stocks. It also makes the CR Series press very similar to an offset press from a paper handling perspective, making it a perfect candidate for integration with other high productivity pre- and post-processing equipment such as the KTI web splicer. Currently, on the Delphax CR1300, a typical roll of paper with 45,000 linear feet of paper will last a mere 150 minutes before another roll of paper is needed. The zero-speed web splicer will automatically splice together the end of one roll to the start of a new roll to ensure continuous and uninterrupted printing. However, by the opening day of Drupa, each roll change will need to occur every 100 minutes when Delphax releases the CR2000 which will increase the maximum throughput by an astounding 50% to produce nearly 2,000, 8.5 x 11 pages per minute. “After seeing this impressive equipment configuration and in-line book production demonstration, there should be no question that Delphax digital presses are built for the pressroom floor and lead the industry in productivity,” stated Jay Herman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Delphax Technologies. Muller-Martini, Stralfors, Shuttleworth, Boise Paper Solutions, Xeikon and D&K will also be joining Delphax and KTI to help produce up to 10,000 soft-cover books for New York City schools. The titles selected by the New York City educators for this year’s event include: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Sherlock Holmes Mysteries by Arthur Conan Doyle, The Odyssey by Homer, and Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. This latest edition of the Books for Schools program will bring the total number of book blocks printed and donated by Delphax to over 20,000. According to school officials, the book donations have had a positive impact on students in New York City, Chicago, and Minneapolis.