Quad/Graphics Buys Nine Finishing Systems at Drupa; Six Perfect Binders and Three Saddle Stitchers Further Advance the Printer's Extensive Finishing Capabilities and Capacity.

Business Editors

Drupa 2004

DUSSELDORF, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2004

This week, Quad/Graphics culminated its visit to Drupa 2004 - the world's largest printing equipment tradeshow - with the purchase of nine Heidelberg finishing systems: six Universal Binders and three Pacesetter 1100 saddle stitchers. The equipment, valued at an aggregate of $50 million, will further advance the printer's extensive finishing capabilities while expanding its overall finishing capacity, making it possible to assume additional work from new and existing clients.

Both the binders and the stitchers have the ability to finish up to 20,000 books per hour and have complete selective binding and ink-jet personalization (up to 128 lines) capabilities.

The Pacesetter 1100 saddle stitchers, which will be the first to be put into live production in the world, feature independent servo-driven pockets for expedited makereadies. Furthermore, the stitchers feature a new user interface for simplified operation, further enhancing their overall productivity.

Among the perfect binders' beneficial features are four cover decks complete with an in-line releasable cover wrap application.

The finishing systems will be installed throughout Quad/Graphics' nationwide network of facilities during the next 18 months.

The purchase of these finishing systems comes just one week after Quad/Graphics announced its multi-million-dollar investment in 10 new 64-page, double-web presses, bringing the company's total Drupa purchases to $200 million.

"Quad/Graphics is committed to maintaining the newest, most advanced manufacturing platform in the industry for the benefit of our clients," said Thomas A. Quadracci, Quad/Graphics President & CEO. "These press and finishing systems purchases will keep us - and, more importantly, our clients - competitive for many years to come."

About Quad/Graphics

Quad/Graphics is the world's largest privately held printer of catalogs, magazines and other commercial products. It employs 12,000 people worldwide and has annual sales of $2 billion. Through a network of 38 print-production and parcel sortation facilities on three continents, it offers services from front-end design and photography through digital imaging/pre-media services, printing, list management, finishing and distribution. It was among the first printers anywhere to use and promulgate use of gapless press technology. Constant, rapid growth over the past 33 years - mostly through internal expansion - has resulted in a company with the most modern plants, equipment and capabilities.