CROWSON and Heidelberg USA Expand “Prinect” Agreement
June 25, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – June 25, 2009 – Crowson Stone and Heidelberg USA, have agreed to jointly test and demonstrate new software technology for the printing market in Crowson Stone’s facility in Columbia, SC. Heidelberg USA will benefit from the installations at Crowson Stone, as their customers and prospects can see the Prinect integrated workflow in a real commercial environment, in addition to Heidelberg’s own demonstration studio. For Crowson Stone, this means their customers will be among the first to benefit from the new technology.
Crowson Stone CEO John deLoach commented, “we are very pleased that this agreement with the world leader in printing technology has recognized our business for its innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit, from among literally thousands of worldwide customers. What makes our partnership work is a combination of great Heidelberg equipment and technology coupled with our shared vision to integrate all the workflow components for maximum efficiency and productivity. We’re excited to be working with Heidelberg at this new level.”
Jim Dunn, President of Heidelberg USA, said the agreement was “the culmination of many years of successful collaboration with Crowson Stone,” adding, “the print industry continues to evolve, with technology being a primary driver. Having partnerships with industry leaders who provide input in the development and testing of new products is crucial; Crowson has been that kind of customer for us.”
Prinect, a complete workflow management system, integrates and optimizes the workflows in print shops – all the way from management to production and from prepress to finishing. The finely-tuned interaction of the various Prinect components boosts the efficiency of production workflows, offers greater process transparency and thus accelerates the entire job flow. Prinect makes a major contribution to helping companies fully realize their potential for rationalization and optimization, thus enhancing the performance of the print shop and achieving greater profit margins.
deLoach likens Prinect’s impact in the printing industry to that of online banking, “businesses today face more pressure than ever to help their firms compete, and they’re being given less time and money to work with. Crowson Stone’s Prinect system helps us meet these challenges by reducing costs and dramatically speeding up the process.” Since relocating to its new facility in 2001, Crowson Stone has hosted many of Heidelberg’s representatives and their customers from around the world. “We expect those numbers to rise dramatically,” added deLoach. “Heidelberg is a key facilitator of knowledge in the print industry. They routinely bring customers together to share ideas and best practices; they play an indispensable role – not only in our business, but for the entire industry.”
About Crowson Stone Printing Company
Serving the needs of communication and marketing professionals since 1923, Crowson Stone Printing Company is a third-generation family business. Over the last ten years, the company has made strategic investments of over $8 million to enhance customers’ return on their marketing communications investment and stewardship of the environment. The Company has a history of innovation and industry leadership. Charles Stone, grandfather of John deLoach, the present CEO, brought offset printing to South Carolina when he pioneered the transition from letterpress printing. In recent years, Crowson Stone has continued Stone’s legacy, with the local introduction of laser imaging of printing plates, multi-page duplex color printing, and web-based customer access to its production system. For more information, visit www.crowsonstone.com.
About Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG
With a global market share for sheetfed offset printing machines of more than 40 percent, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is the world’s leading solution provider for commercial and industrial customers in the print media industry. Headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, the Company focuses on the entire process and value chain for popular format classes in the sheetfed offset and flexographic printing sectors. Apart from printing presses, the product portfolio includes plate imaging devices and finishing equipment, as well as software components designed to integrate all print manufacturing processes. In addition, Heidelberg offers a wide range of spare parts, consumables, used equipment and services, along with extensive training programs provided by the Print Media Academy. Furthermore, the Company assists its customers’ investment plans by offering financing concepts. Heidelberg is most active within the major OECD industrial regions and is expanding its involvement within growing markets such as Asia and Eastern Europe. With development and production sites in six countries and some 250 sales offices worldwide, the Company offers services to more than 200,000 customers around the globe. Heidelberg generates 85 percent of global sales through company-owned sales offices and above 85 percent outside of Germany. In fiscal year 2007/2008, Heidelberg achieved sales of Euro 3.670 billion referring to the divisions Press, Postpress and Financial Services as well as a net profit of Euro 142 million. For more information, visit www.heidelberg.com
