April 1, 2002 -- (WhatTheyThink.com) -- MAN Roland has commented on efforts to acquire Xeikon NV and ongoing negotiations with Xeikon’s new owner - Punch International. Speaking in an exclusive interview with WhatTheyThink.com, Yves Rogivue CEO of MAN Roland Inc. (North America) discussed their commitment to the DICO product line which is manufactured by Xeikon. Xeikon N.V. manufacturers digital printing systems and related consumables to meet variable content and on-demand requirements of the digital print market. MAN Roland and Xeikon have an OEM contract that goes back two years. MAN Roland sells Xeikon’s digital printing systems with their own brands of DICOpress, DICOpage and DICOpack. Xeikon filed for “creditor protection” last year. In February, it was determined that MAN Roland was one of the companies interested in acquiring Xeikon’s assets. However, Punch International announced in March that liquidators had approved their company as the new owner. Yves Rogivue, CEO of MAN Roland Inc., said it was just a matter of valuation. “We started marketing those products in Europe beginning at Drupa 2000 and here in America at Print 01. So it was natural for us to become one of the main bidders when Xeikon’s assets were put up on the block. We placed what we thought was a reasonable bid for Xeikon. Obviously Punch valued those assets more.” Rogivue says MAN Roland is currently in negotiations with several manufacturers, including Punch to ensure a smooth transition. “I can’t comment on specifics at this time, (but) I can say definitively that MAN Roland will fully support any of our customers who are running DICO systems that are driven by Xeikon engines. I can also report that MAN Roland will offer a full range of digital print solutions - in addition to our own DICOweb - regardless of how our negotiations with Punch transpire. There is a growing demand for variable data printing, and we’re going to continue to provide solutions that help our customers get into that niche and thrive in it.” Premium Access Members at WhatTheyThink.com can view the entire interview. Mr. Rogivue thoroughly explains their business plan, solutions and customer support. Besides Xeikon, other topics include: - The changing face of trade shows: Are they still cost effective? - Helping printers during an economic downturn - Supporting causes like Cal Poly, RIT, GATF and others - Computer Integrated Manufacturing: Why PECOM means uptime - Interfacing with print management vendors for a complete solution - DICO: Should you make a digital changeover? - An unusually intense, almost obsessive focus on serving the customer