Heidelberg has launched a digital customer event – Innovation Week 2020 – with a plethora of programmes (see box) to showcase the potential of digitised processes in the field of commercial, label and packaging printing segments.

The global customer event, which will be held from 19 to 23 October 2020, will feature product presentations of its current highlights, innovation talks, and one-on-one conversations via video chat. Under the motto 'Unfold your potential', Heidelberg will showcase the potential offered by the digitisation of processes for the commercial, label, and packaging printing segments.

According to the German equipment manufacturer, the aim is to increase the productivity and competitiveness of print shops. The company will present answers to the challenges in the print media industry and how to make the industry fit for the future with innovative technologies, new business models, and end-to-end solutions to boost performance.

In a press note shared with PrintWeek, Heidelberg stated that it "wants to inform its customers of the latest developments quickly, flexibly, and continuously", and to provide support for investment decisions – especially during a crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic – through digital formats with presentations on products and innovations.

One-on-one conversations
Throughout Innovation Week, more than 250 Heidelberg representatives from 36 countries will be available from 9am to 5pm to address all queries raised by the customers.

In all the online presentations, customers will be able to ask the experts any questions they might have. Another highlight is the one-on-one conversations with the local Heidelberg sales staff – in more than 35 countries, 30 languages, and 15 time zones.

“We see ourselves as our customers’ partner, and want to show the benefits offered by our new products and innovations,” explained Ludwig Allgoewer, head of global sales and marketing at Heidelberg. “We give our customers and interested participants the opportunity to benefit from our experts’ knowledge by clarifying questions easily and directly with their Heidelberg contact in a video chat.”

The company said the one-on-one sessions will be supported by staff from the global product management network – akin to a trade fair.

According to Heidelberg, everything in the five-day online event is focused on sharing knowledge about the pressing issues in the industry. Several topics are said to be covered in the first two days  on the commercial segment. On the third day the participants will, for example, learn how to produce highly finished labels economically, and at a high standard. The contribution made by consumables and digital services to stable packaging production is one of the presentations during the final two days, which are dedicated to packaging where Heidelberg focuses on folding carton production.

The presentations will be held in German and English, and will be offered with subtitles in six other languages – French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

Register for free
Anyone interested can register free of charge using the link “heidelberg.com/innovationweek”, and set up their own agenda, whether product presentations or innovation talks. All online presentations will be available as recordings after the Innovation Week.

In yet another innovative move by the company, the Innovation Week can also be accessed via Heidelberg's new mobile myHD app. The app provides the user with information about the company’s new products, services, and presentations before, during, and after Innovation Week. It also offers contact details of speakers and Heidelberg experts.

myHD is currently available to download in German and English in Google Play (Android) and in the App Store (iOS).