Swiss company Gremper is set to become the world’s first user of Heidelberg’s industrial inkjet system, Jetfire 50. The system will be used for the company’s high-quality print runs. It is on track to become operational from the end of March, said Heidelberg.
(L-R) David Schmedding, chief technology and sales officer at Heidelberg, Jens Rauschen, CEO of Meinders & Elstermann, Stefan Kuper, head of sales region north at Heidelberg, and Frank Kropp, head of research and development at Heidelberg
Karl Gremper, chairman of the board of directors, said the Jetfire 50 was exactly what the company was waiting for. This was the sentiment following a visit to drupa – where the Jetfire 50 was unveiled. The system’s integration with Heidelberg’s Prinect workflow, combined with its use of water-based inks, was a key reason behind the decision to purchase, he added. The company will use the machine, alongside a latest-generation Speedmaster XL 106-8-P+L offset press, expanding its production capacity.
By investing in a hybrid production environment that combines offset and digital printing systems, including the new Jetfire and two Versafire systems from Heidelberg, the company is expanding its market position, explained Heidelberg. This investment will mean Gremper can meet demands for four-colour print runs with different surface finishes and for a growing market for short runs with customised content.
Set to become operational a month later than Gremper’s Jetfire 50, Meinders & Elstermann of Germany will become the first user in the country when its press comes into operation in April. The company is intending to use its new Jetfire to produce high-quality short runs and personalised mailings.
Jens Rauschen, CEO of Meinders & Elstermann, said the integration of Prinect was vital behind the decision. ‘With Prinect, Heidelberg supports the kind of hybrid production workflow we need if we are to remain competitive in a challenging market environment,’ he added.
Matthias Schmid (far right), owner and CEO of Swiss company Schmid-Fehr – which will also be taking a Jetfire 50 into operation this spring – with his team and Mike Messmer (far left), sales account manager at Heidelberg in Switzerland
The second user in Switzerland has also been confirmed by Heidelberg. Schmid-Fehr will take a Jetfire 50 into operation, alongside its two existing large toner systems. The company is taking big steps towards the end-to-end digitalisation and automation of its processes, stated company owner and CEO Matthias Schmid.
David Schmedding, chief technology and sales officer at Heidelberg, concluded, ‘Market demand for our new digital printing portfolio remains very high and as announced at drupa 2024, we will be installing the first Jetfire 50 presses for customers this spring. Our hybrid approach of integrating offset and digital printing systems into a single workflow gives our customers a competitive advantage.’
