Bell Incorporated Purchases Heidelberg Sheetfed Press

Published: October 01, 2009

Bell Incorporated  has become the first U.S. company to purchase Heidelberg's new Speedmaster XL 162 VLF press. The Sioux Falls, SD-based converter chose the Speedmaster XL 162 6+LX press with aqueous coater. This is the first sheetfed press for the formerly all-web company. The "peak performance" of the XL 162 was a driving factor in the company's selection of Heidelberg press.

For Bell, the purchase of a Heidelberg VLF press is entirely consistent with the company's business approach, which is to combine investment in the latest high-speed production technology with a lean, entrepreneurial organization. This is said to enable Bell to deliver one of the lowest cost structures in the industry.

The company also is not averse to making investment decisions based on an understanding of its customers' needs.

In contemplating the purchase of the VLF press, Benjamin Graham, vice president says several factors were considered. "Enhanced production speed, reduced makeready times, the ability to handle a wide range of difficult substrates, the ability to handle long runs economically, and the ability to monitor color without compromising the performance of the press" were among the many factors considered.

Continues Graham: "We were impressed with the XL 162 during our visit to drupa. It didn't take us long to determine that the Speedmaster XL 162 would be a game-changing addition to our pressroom, as well as a means for us to provide the kind of customer service that has set us apart from the competition for decades."

All Heidelberg VLF presses are designed to meet the specific requirements of the folding carton and package printing sectors and deliver fast makereadies and high productivity on a broad range of substrates, all through a user-friendly and intuitive Intellistart interface. Some of the innovations on the XL 162 are fast makereadies, high productivity, proven XL family technology and Heidelberg’s System service 36plus support program.