Muller Martini plans connectivity theme for Drupa

Muller Martini aims to harness the zeitgeist around the so-called 'internet of things' and is promising to showcase 'Finishing 4.0' at next year’s Drupa exhibition.

The manufacturer has moved halls, from its usual location in Hall 14 to a 1,550sqm stand in Hall 2, next door to strategic partner Heidelberg.

Heidelberg and Muller Martini partnered earlier this year, when Heidelberg exited the saddle-stitching and perfect binding markets, and handed service and support of its existing customer base to the Swiss firm.

Muller Martini also showed its Presto II Digital hybrid saddle-stitcher at the recent Heidelberg Rapid Response open house event, at Heidelberg’s Brentford showroom.

Muller Martini chief executive Bruno Müller said the Finishing 4.0 theme was about “intelligent connectivity” whether for a run length of one, for variable products, or for long-run book and magazine printers.

The internet of things, or IOT, refers to the ability of connected objects and devices to collect and exchange data. 

Although Muller Martini did not reveal further details about its Drupa plans at this time, the firm hinted that it would showcase an end-to-end touchless workflow, and equipment geared up to produced a wider variety of products.

Meanwhile, in the UK, Muller Martini has new phone numbers, with technical support and service calls now being handled by its European ‘Welcome Centre’. The new numbers came into effect yesterday (30 November).

The firm is also rolling out a new package of support options with three levels based around different families of machines: T1, T2, or T3.

The fresh service offering includes a clear menu of pricing based on either a flat rate or annual contract, with a range of different options including 24/7 engineer call-out as well as remote support.

“The new structure is about joined-up service, 24/7 back-up, and the structure behind that for 24/7 service the market demands,” explained sales manager David McGinlay.