Slovakian book printing company Neografia, which is based in Martin, some 200 kilometers north of Bratislava, has recently started production on a Speedmaster XL 145 from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). The new machine is the first Heidelberg press in this format class to be installed in Slovakia. Its four printing units and one coating unit are to be used exclusively for book production. 

Neografia produces sophisticated color books, magazines, catalogs, and folding cartons. Generating annual sales of some EUR 54 million, it is one of the largest print shops in Slovakia, with exports - predominantly destined for EU countries - accounting for 70 percent of its sales, and 97 percent in the case of book production. 

"It is our vision to be one of the most advanced businesses in the European print media industry. As we continue to grow, we also want to ensure that our customer satisfaction stays as high as possible. That is why we are continuously investing in cutting-edge production and information technologies. We are certain that the Speedmaster XL 145 provides a solid foundation for this ambition," says Emanuel Balazia, CEO of Neografia. 

However, this isn't the first time that Neografia has used large-format presses. The company had previously operated several non-Heidelberg presses in the same format class. The company's sheetfed offset operations also recently installed a Speedmaster XL 75, which is primarily used to print book covers, and two Speedmaster CD 102 presses, which are mainly used for packaging printing. 

However, this isn't the first time that Neografia has used large-format presses. The company had previously operated several non-Heidelberg presses in the same format class. The company's sheetfed offset operations also recently installed a Speedmaster XL 75, which is primarily used to print book covers, and two Speedmaster CD 102 presses, which are mainly used for packaging printing. 

The postpress operations at Neografia use Heidelberg technology, too, in the form of several postpress systems from the Stahlfolder series. 

Millions invested in green-field site 
At the same time as it installed the Speedmaster XL 145, Neografia also inaugurated a new production facility on a 15,000-square-meter site on the outskirts of Martin. The move brings together all the company's activities and over 700 employees in one place, thereby significantly boosting efficiency. In total, it has invested some EUR 20 million in the new site. 

"Neografia's decision to acquire a Speedmaster XL 145 shows that the large-format presses from Heidelberg, which have become popular with packaging printers and Internet print shops, are now also gradually becoming established in book production," explains Stefan Hasenzahl, head of the Very Large Format and Postpress Packaging business area at Heidelberg.