By: Vanguard Digital, a Durst Group Company

Franklin, TN – April 2025: Vanguard Digital Printing Systems, a Durst Group Company, continues their year of growth and redefinition with a powerful lineup for this year’s ISA Expo. Partnering with Durst in booth 2624, showgoers will experience the latest innovative systems from both companies, and the software solutions that power them. 

Leading the lineup for Vanguard is the Harpeth Print-To-Cut workflow solution, coming to the ISA Expo for the first time. The Harpeth is comprised of the VK3220T-HS UV-LED flatbed printer from Vanguard, and the in-line transport system partnered with the Vanguard edition of the Sharpcut digital cutter from Colex. The Harpeth automates the workflow between printing and cutting, reducing costs and increasing productivity. 

In addition to the Harpeth, Vanguard will be unveiling a new printer, never before seen. The latest in their Productivity Redefined series, the Radnor will bring next level speed, versatility, and quality to the Vanguard fleet. Jim Peterson, COO and Founding Partner of Vanguard, commented “We are very excited to be at the expo this year. We have a new look, new technology, new talent, and new vision and are growing as a company, as a team, and as an innovator in the industry. We are proud of our line up and the opportunity it brings to print service providers, and look forward to sharing it with everyone at ISA.” 

Alongside Vanguard, Durst will be showing the P5 X for the first time in America. The P5 X is a versatile and efficient printing solution, designed for both true flatbed and roll-to-roll applications. Equipped with 10 color channels, including white and varnish for special effects, it offers ergonomic handling, unmatched flexibility and exceptional print quality with consistent colors, smooth gradients, and sharp, detailed text.

Durst Software & Solutions will be featured in the booth as well, showcasing the impressive combination of printer power and sophisticated, easy to use software. Visitors will be able to request demos of the Durst software suite from our experts and view real-time functionality of Durst Workflow on both Durst and Vanguard printers in the booth. 

“We never stop dreaming of what’s next,” concluded Peterson. “In the last seven months, we launched the Harpeth Print-to-Cut Workflow Solution, announced our West Coast Demo Center, opened our Experience center in Franklin, and are launching a new solution at the ISA Expo this year. Our tenth year is shaping up to be our best year yet, and we can’t wait to share it with you.” Stop by booth 2624 to see what the future of print looks like.

By: Channeled Resources Group

Chicago, IL, March 26, 2025 – Channeled Resources Group (CRG), an industry-leading manufacturer of release liners, blank shipping labels, and pressure-sensitive roll label stock, as well as one of the world’s largest suppliers of reprocessed, coated, treated, and laminated papers and films, has launched a new and improved website, designed to simplify the way customers search, filter, and request quotes for their three distinct product lines.

For more than 40 years, CRG has been a family-owned, women-led business, delivering cost-effective, high-quality materials with a commitment to fast service and customer-first solutions. The new website reinforces this mission by providing a seamless online experience for converters and manufacturers looking for affordable and high-performing materials.

The newly designed website offers intuitive search tools and filtering options to help customers find the exact materials they need, faster than ever.

Browse CRG’s Full Pressure-Sensitive Inventory:
Users can search by material type, liner, adhesive, or width, making it easier than ever to locate the right stock.

Shop Weekly Specials for Even Bigger Savings:
CRG already provides up to 30% off competitor pricing, but now, customers can find even deeper discounts on limited-quantity specials that update weekly.

Customize Release Liners with the Product Development Tool:
The new step-by-step configurator allows customers to build their own release liner, selecting from various substrates, coatings, and printing options to create a product tailored to their needs.

“Our goal has always been to make sourcing pressure-sensitive materials, blank labels, and release liners as easy and cost-effective as possible,” said Cindy White, President and CEO of Channeled Resources Group. “With our new website, we’re giving our customers direct access to our inventory, price savings, and the ability to request quotes instantly—no more back-and-forth emails.”

Unlike larger suppliers, CRG operates with agility and responsiveness, offering fast lead times, smaller order quantities, and hands-on support to ensure customers get exactly what they need, when they need it.

The new website is now live and ready for customers to explore. To search inventory, shop specials, or build a custom release liner, visit: www.channeledresources.com

About Channeled Resources

Channeled Resources Group (CRG) is a women-owned, third-generation, family-owned and operated company. From our facilities in Chicago, Wisconsin, Indianapolis, and Ontario, CRG is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor of release liners, blank shipping labels, and pressure-sensitive roll label stock. We are also one of the world’s largest suppliers of reprocessed, coated, treated, and laminated papers and film. Channeled Resources Group is in business to serve our customers above all else.

To learn more about CRG visit www.channeledresources.com

By: XSYS

Kirk Group has partnered with XSYS and Hybrid Software to deliver new industry-leading flexo plate innovation to RollsPack, in Melbourne. The Australian reprographics expert leveraged a powerful combination of technologies, utilizing nyloflex® plates, ThermoFlexX imaging, Velvet Screening, Woodpecker surface patterns and Catena+ automated processing, to create a tailored solution for the award-winning packaging supplier.  

Willstaett, Germany, 26 March 2025. Established in 1972, Kirk Group is known throughout the industry as an innovation leader. The reprographics company, headquartered in Sydney, works with global brands and major printing companies across the ANZ region and into Asia, supplying graphic services and image carrier solutions for packaging production. Manufacturing sites are located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Auckland, and sales offices in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Mumbai, India, all focused on the company’s stated mission “to bring inspiration and innovation to marketers and brands.” 

With decades of experience in delivering flexo excellence, Kirk Group understands that close collaboration with technology suppliers and customers is key to success. When long-term customer RollsPack Group challenged the team to find a more cost-effective and sustainable way to print high value flexible packaging, they knew exactly where to turn.  

Ben Prout, Group Technical Manager, shares: “Kirk Group has worked with RollsPack for over 20 years, so we appreciate and understand their ambitions, requirements and workflow. For this project, we also drew on the technical expertise and experience of XSYS and Hybrid Software, as well as RollsPack collaborating closely to create a customized solution that not only meets or exceeds the quality of competitors but also offers a more competitive price point.” 

To meet RollsPack´s specific criteria, the team carefully considered the combination of plate and specialized screening technologies necessary to achieve the desired outcome. They were able to leverage the versatility of the ThermoFlexX imaging system and Catena+ automated processing line to implement these solutions: 

• nyloflex® NEF D – a high durometer printing plate for flexible packaging developed by XSYS for the efficient creation of flat-top dots and reproduction of surface screenings with UV LED exposure. 
• Velvet Screening – a new screening type from Hybrid Software created to meet flexo requirements. As the successor to hybrid XM screening, it uses an advanced dot removal algorithm to reduce harsh edges, leading to smoother and higher-quality prints.  
• ThermoFlexX Woodpecker Nano – the finest surface micro pattern available for LAMS plates, suitable for platemakers and printers who need high frequency surface screens to increase quality and efficiency while reducing costs. 

Pushing the boundaries of flexo printing 

The nyloflex® plates with Velvet Screening and Woodpecker micro surface patterns provided by Kirk Group ticked all the boxes for RollsPack Group, meeting its demands for quality, sustainability and costs. A family-owned company founded in 1985, it specializes in flexible packaging production, including e-commerce, food, retail, and tamper-evident solutions.  

“This solution offers a lot of potential. Set up times have been reduced significantly due to precise color profiles, and longevity on press is comparable to other major players on the market,” said Print Manager Thanh Huynh. Commenting on the print quality, he added, “There’s a marked difference in the ink laydown on surface print; it’s one of the best I’ve seen in flexibles. Even when printing colors on a white ink base layer, where we typically experience a drop in density – the results with Woodpecker are impressive. In addition, Velvet Screening holds the dots really well, ensuring that there are minimum hard edges.”    

As well as delivering top quality at great cost, RollsPack is also firmly committed to sustainability, developing environmentally friendly products for its customers. “We are dedicated to elevating the market by supplying innovations that benefit our customers and meet their sustainability goals. We successfully achieved the same high-quality print with water-based inks as with solvent-based inks. This drives a constant need to explore new avenues and Kirk Group plays a fundamental role in this endeavor. Together we are pushing the boundaries of brilliant flexo,” concluded Thanh Huynh.  

Easy implementation in any workflow 

In this scenario, advanced screening technology and dedicated plate surface structures simplified the challenging task of controlling the dots and the ink behavior on press. ThermoFlexX Woodpecker and Velvet Screening proved their individual strengths, to deliver a successful outcome for RollsPack. Both software solutions are truly open without any extra steps needed, meaning they can be implemented into any workflow.  

Brenton King, Hybrid Software’s Sales Manager for Australasia, expanded on the flexibility of Velvet Screening, “The beauty of Velvet is that the software doesn’t require any proprietary information or special equipment, it just slots into the existing setup. Used at any resolution or ruling, it can be imaged onto the plate of your choice on any CTP device and then processed through your existing exposure frame.” He added, “In this collaboration, Kirk Group simply applied Velvet Screening and then added the Woodpecker surface patterns during imaging. It’s a very clever combination.” 

Maximizing opportunities and potential 

On the hardware side, Kirk Group relied on ThermoFlexX technology from XSYS, including a Catena+ automated plate processing line installed at the Melbourne site in 2021. Kirk’s Chief Operating Officer Robert Selvaggio commented, “The investment in Catena+ has been a great success story for us. We were among the first in the market to realize the potential of this high performance, one-touch technology which tripled our capacity and elevated plate quality.” He revealed the company’s’ future strategy, “We’re now in the process of installing a Catena+ line in Brisbane and a third one is already planned for Sydney.”   

“Kirk Group has been reaping the exceptional benefits of Catena+ for a few years, and we have witnessed the innovative solutions it enables, such as this special project for RollsPack Group,” said Roy Schoettle, VP, XSYS Asia Pacific. “We are delighted that this partnership has been so successful and look forward to taking the next steps with the team, as they equip all their manufacturing sites with full Catena+ lines.”  

Robert Selvaggio concluded, “Flexo is still the largest printing technology for packaging, both in terms of volume and value, but we must maximize the market opportunities and the potential of each technology on offer. This is why collaboration is crucial for the future of our industry and for our customers.”  

About XSYS 

Headquartered in Willstaett, Germany, XSYS operates globally and remains one of the largest suppliers offering both flexographic and letterpress prepress solutions, including plates, sleeves, processors, workflow solutions, and expert professional services, designed to help these industries move forward with increasing innovation, improved productivity and profitability, and a reduced environmental footprint. 

 
In recognizing our endeavor to bring more brilliance into the packaging industry – into the lives of our customers and colleagues – XSYS has achieved a Gold Medal rating from EcoVadis for its sustainability. This distinction goes beyond our commitment to protecting the environment by also evaluating our dedication to social responsibility, diversity, and human rights. 

The broad XSYS portfolio comprises some of the industry’s best-known brands of consumables (nyloflex® and nyloprint® plates), plate processing equipment (Xpress, ThermoFlexX, and Catena), surface screening software (Woodpecker), plate mounting (rotec®), and washout solvents (nylosolv®).  

Brilliant products and services for brilliant print results and business success. 

About Hybrid Software 

With offices in Belgium, Germany, US, UK, Spain, France, Italy, and China plus a global partner network, Hybrid Software is an enterprise software development company focused on innovative productivity tools for the graphic arts industry. 

Hybrid Software’s CLOUDFLOW workflow, PACKZ PDF editor, iC3D visualization software, and print quality solutions offer a unique set of advantages that include native PDF workflows, enterprise cloud solutions, scalable technology with low cost of ownership, and direct integration with leading MIS solutions and output devices. These products are used by thousands of customers worldwide in all areas of prepress and print, including labels and packaging, folding cartons, corrugated, wide format and digital printing. Hybrid Software is a subsidiary of Hybrid Software Group. 

By: Maxcess

Maxcess, the global leader for automation in the web handling industry, today announced that Alexander Haid will step down from his position as Vice President and General Manager for Maxcess Europe, effective April 1, 2025. After five years of dedicated leadership, Haid played a pivotal role in the integration of Fife Tidland GmbH and RotoMetrics, significantly strengthening Maxcess’ European presence and achieving key operational milestones.

Succeeding Haid in the role of VP and General Manager for Maxcess Europe will be Markus Rall, a seasoned leader with a remarkable 30-year career in the packaging and machine building industry, both in Germany and globally. Markus has held leading positions as CEO of Carton Group GmbH, Polar-Mohr Gruppe, and MAN Roland AG, and brings a wealth of experience in managing complex organizations and driving growth in international markets.

The transition from Haid to Rall will begin on April 1, 2025, and will be completed within the next few months. Maxcess is confident that Markus will continue to build on the solid foundation Haid has established while leading the European organization into its next phase of success.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to Alex for his outstanding leadership and his significant contributions to Maxcess,” said Odd Joergenrud, CEO of Maxcess. “His leadership has been instrumental for Maxcess Europe. We wish Alex all the best in his future endeavors, both professionally and personally.”

“We are excited to welcome Markus Rall to the Maxcess family,” Joergenrud continued. “His experience and expertise in the global packaging and machine building industries, coupled with his leadership experience at Carton Group GmbH, Polar-Mohr Gruppe, and MAN Roland AG, will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and grow in the European market.”

Maxcess remains fully committed to delivering the high-quality products and exceptional customer service that clients have come to expect and looks forward to a smooth transition under Markus Rall’s leadership.

About Maxcess: Maxcess saves you time and money by optimizing your peak output performance. We do this by leveraging the world’s best web handling brands, offering customized, automated, end-to-end sustainable web handling solutions. Maxcess helps its customers maximize productivity through innovative products and services worldwide by combining global service and support across the storied product brands of RotoMetrics, Fife, Tidland, MAGPOWR, Webex, Valley Roller, Componex, International Cutting Die (ICD), and Maxcess Vision Systems, Maxcess offers an unrivaled network of application experts and automated end-to-end web handling solutions to help you work better, faster, and smarter. Visit them online at www.maxcess.com

By: Hybrid Software

(Ghent, Belgium) Hybrid Software, a leading provider of innovative prepress and workflow solutions for the label and packaging industry announces that the Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Association (FPPA), the only association solely dedicated to independent flexographic prepress platemakers, has appointed Mike Agness, Hybrid Software Executive Vice President, Americas, to its Board of Directors.

The FPPA is the only association solely dedicated to independent flexographic prepress platemakers, providing an open culture that strengthens connections between platemakers and supplier members. Its environment fosters continuous learning, information exchange, technological advancement, and shared best practices. By promoting connection, comradery, education, and knowledge-sharing among independent flexographic prepress trade shops and their suppliers, the FPPA foster member growth and the highest of standards within the industry. 

“Hybrid Software has played an important service to platemaking prepress, assuring that flexo platemakers and their systems deliver files that can produce the highest quality flexo plates, as quickly and easily as possible,” comments Aaron Pettijohn, FPPA Treasurer (and President Elect). “In particular, Mike has demonstrated the knowledge and creativity during FPPA meetings to help members get the most from the association and to enhance the plates they provide for converters.”

As a Board Member, Agness’s responsibilities include: 

• Aligning association activities with the purpose and core values of the FPPA

• Promoting the FPPA and attracting new members where possible

• Attending regular Board of Director meetings, and an annual strategy session at headquarters to establish goals and action items for the coming year

• Supporting the annual conference and fall workshop

• Selecting the location of the annual conference and developing its agenda

• If viable, participating as a judge of the Annual Excellence in Flexo Award program.

“I am happy to contribute a part in continuing the bright future of flexo platemaking,” explains Agness. “Flexo services continue to uniquely fulfill an important role in the packaging supply chain. The ever-changing demands on converters—and their plates—to serve brands remains a constant challenge. The collaborative knowledge sharing among FPPA members will continue to help the industry meet these needs.” 

FPPA membership is open to businesses involved in or suppling goods and services to the flexographic industry—along with organizations who provide important services to these companies. Membership information is available at flexoplatemakers.com/membership/.

About the Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Association (FPPA)

The FPPA promotes high standards within the flexographic prepress platemaking industry, providing leadership through vision and direction, as well as comprehensive education to advance the best interests of the industry. For more information, call 413.686.9187 or visit flexoplatemakers.com. 

About Hybrid Software

With offices in Belgium, Germany, US, UK, Spain, France, Italy, and China plus a global partner network, Hybrid Software is an enterprise software development company focused on innovative productivity tools for the graphic arts industry.

By: UPM Raflatac

(UPM, Mills River, NC, March 20, 2025, 1 p.m. ET) – UPM Raflatac, a global supplier of self-adhesive paper and film products, will showcase its latest sustainable innovations and expanded offerings at Labelexpo Mexico 2025 in Guadalajara, booth C72. 

The company will present its Carbon Action plastic label portfolio, designed to promote circularity and reduce carbon footprint throughout the value chain. Other features at the booth include RAFNXT+, the world’s first Carbon Trust-verified labeling solution aimed at combating climate change, along with the full range of FSC™ and CarbonNeutral^® certified Direct Thermal (DT) Linerless materials.  

Additionally, UPM Raflatac will highlight its comprehensive Label Life service, which offers DEKRA-validated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) calculations. This service provides decision-makers with essential environmental information on label materials, enabling them to make informed, sustainable choices that support their climate targets and business growth.  

Visitors to their booth can explore UPM Raflatac’s extensive graphic self-adhesive sheets portfolio for offset and digital printing, as well as the expanded Graphics Solutions product line. They will also have access to UPM Raflatac’s team of experts, who will provide customized sustainable labeling solutions, product insights and technical support. Attendees at Labelexpo Mexico can also witness UPM Raflatac’s digital and print-on-demand materials in action on digital presses located at prominent OEM booths throughout the venue. 

“We’re excited to exhibit UPM Raflatac’s commitment to sustainability and innovation at Labelexpo Mexico,” says Diddier Solano, Sales Director, UPM Raflatac Americas – LATAM. “Visitors to our booth will discover sustainable material solutions that can enhance circularity and support their business goals.”  

Labelexpo Mexico 2025 will take place at Expo Guadalajara in Guadalajara from April 1 to 3, providing a unique opportunity for media and industry professionals to explore UPM Raflatac’s innovative solutions firsthand. To find out more, make sure you stop by stand C72 to meet UPM Raflatac’s experts and learn more about how you can harness the power of the label for your products.  

UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac offers high-quality self-adhesive paper and film products including label materials, graphics solutions and removable self-adhesive products. We operate 14 factories and deliver our innovative and sustainable products through our global network of distribution terminals. We are one of UPM’s growth businesses and employ around 3,200 people. Our sales reached almost EUR 1.6 billion (USD 1.7 billion) in 2024. Read more: upmraflatac.com

UPM
UPM is a material solutions company, renewing products and entire value chains with an extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonization solutions, and communication papers. Our performance in sustainability has been recognized by third parties, including EcoVadis and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. We operate globally and employ approximately 15,800 people worldwide, with annual sales of approximately EUR 10.3 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.
UPM – we renew the everyday

By: Matik, Inc.

(West Hartford, Conn.) March 18, 2025 – Matik, Inc., a leading provider of innovative industrial solutions, proudly announces the addition of Arturo Felipe to its team as a Field Service Technician. With extensive expertise in electro-mechanical systems, troubleshooting and preventive maintenance, Felipe brings a wealth of experience that will enhance Matik’s commitment to exceptional service and customer satisfaction.

Felipe has a strong background in industrial automation and field service, having previously worked as an Electro-Mechanical Technician at Witron, where he specialized in maintaining and repairing automated systems, including cranes and conveyors. His hands-on expertise in PLC/HMI controls, industrial networking and quality control processes makes him an asset in optimizing equipment performance and minimizing downtime for Matik’s customers.

In addition to his technical acumen, Felipe’s experience as a Senior Customer Care Technician at Cornerstone Automation Systems (CASI) has honed his problem-solving skills and ability to deliver top-tier customer support. His proficiency in troubleshooting complex automation issues and engaging cross-functional teams ensures seamless service solutions for clients.

“We are excited to welcome Arturo to the Matik team,” said Steve Leibin, President at Matik. “His extensive field service experience, technical expertise, and dedication to customer success align perfectly with our mission to provide top-tier service and support to our clients.”

Felipe’s role at Matik will focus on servicing and maintaining high-performance industrial equipment, troubleshooting technical issues and ensuring maximum uptime for customers in various industries. His ability to work under pressure and adapt to evolving technologies makes him an excellent addition to Matik’s growing service team.

For more information about Matik and its services, visit www.matik.com.

About Matik, Inc.

Matik, Inc. is the exclusive and leading North American supplier for premier European equipment used for acrylic/LED backlighting, commercial printing, converting, folding carton, labels, RFID and security tags, transdermal drug delivery and more. Matik’s factory-trained technicians provide preventive maintenance for equipment, and expert staff performs quality inspections, diagnosis, repairs and aftercare. Headquartered in Connecticut, Matik has been in business for over 45 years.

By: Epson

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – March 17, 2025 – Epson today announced several of its solutions received Good Design Awards, including five printers and the Auto Chart Reader portable accessory. As Japan’s only comprehensive design award, the Good Design Awards are presented annually to those designs that benefit and enrich daily lives and society. Epson received recognition for three professional imaging solutions, one business inkjet printer, one on-demand color label printer, and one professional color management tool. 

“Epson product designers and engineers strive to meet consumer expectations from the design stage, visiting customers to understand their product needs and what features would enhance daily workflow,” said Mark Roslon, vice president, North America Commercial and Industrial Marketing, Epson America, Inc. “Winning these prestigious awards underscores our team’s dedication and success in delivering products that are beneficial with exceptional functionality, aesthetic appeal, positive environmental impact, and provide meaningful impact on users’ daily lives.” 

Good Design Awards: Product Design Winners

The following Epson products received 2024 Good Design Awards:

–        SureColor^® P20570: From professional photography and fine art reproduction to graphic design, this 64” printer is the pinnacle of professional printing technology. Featuring an expanded 12-color inkset, it delivers archival quality prints and the widest color gamut in its class.¹ A high-capacity 1.6L ink pack system² eliminates the need for frequent cartridge changes, improving print shop efficiency and productivity while using up to 90% less plastic than cartridges.³ The SureColor P20570 was awarded for its unparalleled color gamut coupled with an outstanding design that is kind to the environment, while achieving the highest image quality. 

 

–        SureColor F1070: Purpose-built for both direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTFilm) printing, the compact, entry-level printer offers excellent image quality, ease of use and versatile performance for printing and transferring on various materials, making it ideal for garment decorators, entrepreneurs, artisans and print service provider. Awarded for its compact, square design, unique transparent upper case, as well as the surface embossing that provides a fabric-like texture, this hybrid printer’s design inspires creatives and encourages businesses to supply small-format custom textile orders. 

–        SureColor V1070: Designed to bring the power of UV printing to small businesses, the SureColor V1070 desktop flatbed UV printer delivers exceptional quality, vivid colors, and fine details, at less than half the cost of comparable models.⁴ Making in-house customization easier than ever, it prints directly on a variety of materials, including wood, acrylic and a large range of promotional products, and integrated maintenance features streamline operations. Recognized for its compact design, rectangular footprint and transparent upper case, this UV printer’s design generates opportunities for customers to implement a customization factory within a retail location. 

–        WorkForce^® Enterprise AM-C400: Delivering powerful business productivity, the AM-C400 is engineered to streamline workflows by reducing maintenance and minimizing downtime for businesses while touting low energy consumption and waste. With a newly angled printhead and shortened paper path, the A4 color multifunction printer achieves high performance with print speeds of 40 ISO ppm (black/color)⁵ and a reduced footprint. The AM-C400 was awarded for its compact, aesthetically pleasing office design that naturally guides the eye to key areas, and better environmental performance when compared to laser printers of the same size. 

–        ColorWorks^® CW-C8000: Purpose-built for on-demand, mid- to high-volume batch runs, the 4-inch color label printer is engineered to deliver exceptional print quality, reliable performance and high-speed printing. The CW-C8000 was awarded for its design, with easy front loading ink and media, as well as its advanced connectivity and networking capabilities, versatility and innovative replacement ink pack system allowing for fewer interventions and offering low cost per milliliter and low consumable waste.

–        Auto Chart Reader Accessory: The portable automated table accessory extends color management capabilities of the Epson SD-10 Spectrophotometer for Epson Edge^® Print customers, delivering a comprehensive color management workflow that creates color profiles and quickly verifies and calibrates color, helping print shops save time and resources by avoiding reprints due to color inaccuracies. The Auto Chart Reader was awarded for its portable design and precise responses to the needs of printing professionals, offering maximum precision with minimal resources offering great social significance. 

For more information about the Good Design Awards, visit https://www.g-mark.org/en.  

About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson’s goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

By: Heidelberg

Kennesaw, Ga. March 10, 2025 – Nearly four years ago, Heidelberg USA (HEIDELBERG) re-launched its Apprenticeship Program in response to the growing shortage of skilled labor in the country. The vocational training initiative, designed to cultivate a new generation of field service technicians, has already proven successful, with several graduates now employed full-time by HEIDELBERG. Currently, the program is training 25 apprentices across its sheetfed, postpress, and Gallus product lines – its largest group to date. With plans to hire an additional eight apprentices within the year, the program is not only filling a critical skills gap but also serving as a model for how companies can invest in their future workforce.

The Future Workforce

The HEIDELBERG Apprenticeship Program spans eighteen to thirty-six months and combines classroom instruction at the company’s Print Media Performance & Training Center (PMPTC) in Kennesaw, GA and hands-on field training alongside a journeyman mentor within HEIDELBERG’s extensive network of service technicians. Apprentices are hired throughout the year, often beginning in the field and returning as a class to the PMPTC for a Fundamentals Training Course that covers every operating, electrical and mechanical function on a HEIDELBERG press in addition to pneumatics, software, and application. 

“Bringing them in as a group helps build camaraderie and even friendly competition,” said Kimberly Wicker, Skills Development Supervisor for HEIDELBERG. “This dynamic empowers them to rely on each other. Even as they move across the country, they frequently connect to share tips and troubleshooting challenges together.”

HEIDELBERG brought Wicker on board eighteen months ago to support its Apprenticeship Program and other training initiatives. In addition to assisting with the hiring process, Wicker serves as a liaison and mentor for apprentices once they are hired. Her role helps apprentices – many of whom are new to both the company and the print industry – build a strong connection to HEIDELBERG. With retention critical to the program’s success, Wicker’s partnership with Training Manager, Rogers English, represents a new approach for HEIDELBERG.

“They really rely on Kimberly, especially in the early stages, for approval to ensure they’re meeting requirements,” said Mike Koeberlein, Vice President of Lifecycle Operations for HEIDELBERG. “She keeps everything on track and ensures service managers stay engaged with the apprentices.”

Apprentices are paid throughout the entire training period along with receiving per diem for travel and food, their own set of tools, and the ability to qualify for a company-paid car. Each apprentice is able to graduate the program at his or her own pace. After demonstrating mastery of a pre-defined list of technical skills, the apprentices will begin as trained service technicians specializing in one of HEIDELBERG’s many product areas with the opportunity to have lifelong career growth with the company.

Third year Electrician Apprentice Avery Maples joined the program with a background in automotive mechanics, electrical work, and heavy equipment operation. Compared to his previous roles, Maples said, “I enjoy the level of autonomy that we are given, as if it’s a test to see how we will perform in our career after graduation.” With no previous printing experience, he added, “While I specialize in sheetfed presses, I’m eager to learn about all areas of printing, from postpress to prepress, and how essential printing is to our daily lives. I’m excited to become a valuable asset for the industry and for HEIDELBERG.” 

Developing Well Rounded Technicians

As the availability of printing-focused programs in high schools and technical schools shrinks, HEIDELBERG is now targeting individuals with backgrounds in fields such as electrical, telecommunications, and automotive mechanics for its Apprenticeship Program. In addition to be technically inclined, candidates for the program must have a strong aptitude for problem solving. 

For second-year Electrician/Mechatronic Apprentice Devin Gill, this combination of technical skill and the critical thinking was a key factor that drew him to the Apprenticeship Program. He explained, “Over the years, I’ve realized the true satisfaction that comes from applying skill and knowledge to physical tasks.” With a background as both a painter and technician for a major telecommunications company, Gill said, “HEIDELBERG recognized my work ethic and passion for technology and innovation. They saw my potential to expand my knowledge and experience while contributing to the growth of the company’s passionate workforce.”

Gill’s background exemplifies HEIDELBERG’s mission of developing well-rounded technicians who not only understand the technology but also embrace the continuous learning required in the field. While apprentices apply to work within a certain product area during the hiring process, Koeberlein said that the program offers flexibility if an apprentice develops a passion for working with a particular type of equipment during training.

A Strong Example

Currently, Heidelberg USA boasts twenty-five apprentices at varying stages of completing their training. Of that, nine new hires are set to begin their Fundamentals Training course at the PMPTC in April. While the classes continue to grow, HEIDELBERG remains proactive in its efforts to refill its diminishing service force with a goal of having two classes of ten students per year. Koeberlein added, “The workforce is different today. People don’t often stay someplace for 20 or 30 years anymore, so we’ll need to continue to refine our program based on that dynamic as well.”

Prior to the start of the Apprenticeship Program, many HEIDELBERG customers were fearful of service continuity after their experienced technicians retired. Now, they are reassured seeing the apprentices in their plants. In the future, HEIDELBERG hopes to partner with its customers in its training and development efforts. “There are very few apprenticeship or even training programs available in the printing industry,” Koeberlein said. “I believe the industry is counting on us to set a strong example.”

HEIDELBERG is looking to hire an additional eight apprentices this calendar year. To learn more about the program or apply, visit https://www.heidelberg.com/us/Apprentice

About HEIDELBERG:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG as a total solution provider is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions and the lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. 

The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control, automation technology and robotics as well as the growing green technologies. With a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its around 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China and the USA and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is well-positioned for future growth. 

www.heidelberg.com