Brentwood, Essex – December 18, 2006 – The British Print Industries Federation’s (BPIF) Book Production Group has visited Océ’s commercial headquarters in Poing, Germany, to review the company’s latest offerings to book printers and participate in an open discussion about the market.

 

During the two-day trip, BPIF members and Océ explored some of the challenges and trends in the market and how digital print-on-demand fits into the book production market.  After a series of presentations, the members had demonstrations of Océ’s latest web and cut-sheet digital book productions systems, the VarioStream 9000 and the VarioPrint 6250.

 

Clive Fricker, British Printing Industries Federation Director who manages the BPIF’s Book Production Group, said:  “As part of a business events programme, we liaise closely with our main partner suppliers.  A key objective is to share first-hand experience of their latest products and their view of the book supply chain.  

 

“This excellent visit to Océ’s Poing factory gave members of the group a close look at the company’s latest offering to book printers. This included the VarioPrint 6250 with its Gemini duplex technology and the VarioStream 9000.
  
“It is vital that British manufacturers continue working in partnership with innovative companies such as Océ. This helps ensure they remain at the leading edge of the very competitive global market for book production.”

 

Bob Brown, Managing Director of Polestar Wheatons Ltd, added: “The visit organised by the BPIF/Oce to show the relevance of book printing to our sector of the market was especially interesting to myself and my colleagues, as it helped towards our decision in choosing future equipment and evaluating the continued growth and development of Digital printing, especially with regard to quality and speed.

 

Hina Sharma, Sector Marketing Manager for Digital Document Systems, Océ, said:  “We were delighted to give the BPIF Book Product group a close look at Océ’s latest offerings in the digital book printing market, as well as an opportunity to participate in an open forum to discuss industry challenges and innovations.

 

“We wanted to provide a suitable atmosphere for stimulating debate, learning and sharing of information.  It was an opportunity to share the BPIF’s and Océ’s vast wealth of knowledge in the market, and look at the benefits, positioning and opportunities for digital book printing now and in the future.

 

“As an innovation and technology leader, Océ is proud to openly engage with companies and organisations, like the BPIF, to help positively develop the British book production industry.  It’s opportunities like this that make the industry tick.”

 

Craig Nethercott, Sector Manager for Graphic Arts for Digital Document Systems, Océ, added: “Over the years we have seen the benefits of having an open dialogue with organisations such as the BPIF and end users.  This visit gave us a chance to network and further strengthen relationships with some of the industry’s key players.  We were keen to share views on digital book production and how it can be strategically applied to provide another dimension to the book production industry on a local or international scale. 

 

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with the BPIF and its members in the future.”