Didde Web Press Announces Proposed Strategic Alliance With Presstek
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Didde Web Press, a world leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of narrow web offset presses, and Presstek, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRST - news), a leading provider of direct digital imaging technologies to the printing and publishing industry, today announced they have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding which outlines the parties' intent to form a strategic alliance. The proposed alliance, which is subject to the parties entering into a final agreement, anticipates an evolving relationship based on interfacing Didde's proven web press platforms with Presstek's direct imaging technologies.
The initial objective of this new alliance is to create the first DI© UV web press for the direct mail printing market. The parties expect that the anticipated new press will utilize one or more of Presstek's plate technologies.
``Didde is recognized by the industry as the world leader in direct mail web presses,'' states Allen Watts, Didde's director of strategic business development. ``We expect this experience, together with Presstek's leadership in direct on-press imaging, will allow us to meet the printers' needs to combine short-run, variable data versions into a longer run, offset printed shell. We believe this application of technology will reduce cost and make- ready, and increase the overall production capacity, flexibility and efficiency of the press.''
Efrem Lieber, vice president of sales and marketing at Presstek said, ``Didde's high performance designs are a perfect fit for DI technology. We are pleased to work with Didde to create new digital applications in the printing market.''
The first digital, hybrid, web offset press with on-press imaging is expected to provide printers with the flexibility of variable digital imaging technology, and the cost effectiveness and high quality of offset printing. It will incorporate as many variable printing digital units as needed in-line with the traditional offset units and in-line finishing. Didde plans to provide the DI unit as a field upgrade to its current press lines.
Didde Web Press, a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of narrow web offset presses, is a family and employee owned, forty-five year old, global organization. Didde Web Press has sold over 7,500 web offset presses that are now generating a large variety of printed products in over sixty countries throughout the world.
Founded in 1987, Presstek, Inc. is a leading developer and international marketer of non-photographic, non-toxic digital imaging and printing plate technologies for the printing and graphic arts industries. Presstek's products and applications incorporate PEARL© and DI technologies and utilize PEARL consumables for computer-to-plate and direct-to-press applications. The company's patented DI and PEARL thermal laser diode family of products enable its customers to produce high quality, full-color lithographic printed materials more quickly and cost efficiently. |
