Future of DICOpress & DICOpack is assured Westmont, Illinois -- (April 22, 2002) -- The recent acquisition of Xeikon by Punch International will help intensify MAN Roland’s efforts to bring cost-effective color digital printing to graphic arts facilities. Under an agreement with Xeikon and its new parent, MAN Roland will continue to market and support DICOpress and DICOpack systems, while the recently introduced DICOpage will be discontinued. "Our new partnership with Xeikon and Punch will revitalize our efforts to help North American facilities fully capitalize on digital printing opportunities," said Yves Rogivue, CEO of MAN Roland Inc. "Punch International manufactures products for some of the world’s best known high-tech brands, including Sony, Philips, Panasonic, and Agfa-Gevaert. Now the names DICOpress, DICOpack and MAN Roland can be added to that list." MAN Roland’s DICOpress provides high performance computer-to-press capabilities at an affordable price, giving printers a cost-effective way to handle one-to-one, variable data and short-run color projects. The system runs at the rate of 138 letter size impressions per minute. That equates to the production of 8,280 pages per hour - a speed that leads this digital color category. Web-fed, DICOpress is available in both 12 1/2" and 20" web widths, and features variable cutoffs to produce a wide variety of printed products. Built around a Xeikon print engine, DICOpress features a user-friendly interface with advanced process controls that ensure consistent production and superior print quality. DICOpack brings the short-run fast-turnaround capabilities of advanced digital color technology to packaging and label printing plants. The digital changeover DICOpack lives up to its name, speeding from job-to-job in a matter of minutes. That makes the press ideal for just-in-time (JIT) packaging and label work. For a low price of admission, package and label printers get a high performance digital press with all the options and features they need to move into new product offerings. DICOpress and DICOpack join MAN Roland’s primary digital printing system - DICOweb - the world’s first offset press capable of printing without plates. MAN Roland developed and manufactures that innovation, giving the company a high speed digital offering that complements the one-to-one and variable capabilities of DICOpress and DICOpack. "The entry of a major manufacturer like Punch into this market confirms the productive potential of MAN Roland’s digital line-up, and takes it to the next level," Rogivue said. "Xeikon has indicated that it can now focus more of its attention on R&D to make DICOpress and DICOpack even more profitable for the printers who use them." For more information about MAN Roland’s digital print line-up, visit www.manroland.com.