German press maker Heidelberg has opened a new showroom and training centre for the US and Canadian market, as it celebrates first North American orders for its sheetfed inkjet press.

The purpose-built ‘Print Media Center Americas’ in Marietta, Georgia, is seen as a tangible confirmation of the printing press manufacturer’s commitment to the market.

President of Heidelberg USA Clarence Penge says the ‘home or print’ represents much more than a new building: “It reflects a new Heidelberg and a new way of thinking centred around collaboration.

“By bringing our people, expertise, and industry-leading technology together under one roof, we’re transforming how we support our customers – building a stronger foundation to help them succeed today and into the future.”

More than 200 customers, industry partners, members of the trade media and employees helped the company celebrate during a two-day event. A feature was a panel discussion with Brodnax Printing president Jim Singer, Inland Label owner Mark Glendenning, Spoectrum Packaging president Mark Mills, and Specialty Print Group president Adam LeFebvre… all of them Heideelberg enthusiasts.

Hands-on demonstrations of the latest equipment included the Jetfire 50 and Speedmaster XL 106, while tours took visitors behind-the-scenes to the purpose-built facility, including its service and operations area. A spacious training centre is equipped with a range of press modules, a fully operational Speedmaster XL 106 press, and finishing equipment. Heidelberg says it will offer a range of instructor-led operator training and maintenance classes from this northern autumn.

Pictured above: Customers, industry partners, trade media representatives, and employees at the grand opening, and (top) the Jetfire 50 – Heidelberg says it enables cost-effective on-demand production of personalised or sorted editions, “even for long runs”