KENNESAW, Ga., March 5, 2004 – Heidelberg announced today that it was chosen by Cunard Line to provide its latest ship Queen Mary 2 (QM2) with a complete line of customized printing systems to meet the ship’s printing needs. QM2, operated by Cunard Line, is the largest and most expensive passenger vessel ever built.    Cunard commissioned Heidelberg to design and install pre-press, sheetfed and postpress systems that could withstand ocean currents with stabilizing equipment and meet daily printing needs with land-sea logistical service solutions.   Heidelberg worked closely with the ship’s builder in preparation for this specialized installation.   Of the two features, the stabilizing equipment consists of special mounting brackets and ink dispensing systems that can handle rough seas in the North Atlantic. In regards to daily printing needs, QM2 has daily print demands with limited space to operate presses and store enough material between ports-of-call. Heidelberg designed a configuration to meet space and storage needs. With such a system, QM2 can produce 1,500 copies of daily programs, 1,700 menus for the three main dining rooms and seven alternate venues, eight-page versions of U.S. and British daily newspapers, and high-quality name cards for special occasions.   Installed aboard QM2 is a two-color Printmaster QM 46-2 press, a Quicksetter 300 CTP device for polyester plates, a Polar 66 cutter and a Quickfolder T 34. The system is managed by a two-person crew led by Chief Printer William Neugebauer and Jared Unterborn. Heidelberg referred to similar plans that it had used for other vessels including Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), considered by many people as the most recognized passenger vessel in the world.    “We are honored Cunard has chosen Heidelberg once again, and has relied on our tradition and experience of printing outside the press room in unusual and challenging environments,” said Niels Winther, president of Heidelberg USA. “Heidelberg is pleased to have provided two unique printing solutions to two of the most spectacular vessels ever built.”     According to Lawrence Rapp, Cunard’s vice president of hotel operations, Cunard needs reliable systems and a contractor that has the experience and resources to handle these challenges. “Heidelberg understands the difficulties of printing at sea, and we are impressed with the quality and service we have received from its systems aboard Queen Mary 2,” said Rapp.