Chief executive Bernhard Schreier clarified the firms strategy at its annual end of year press briefing in Heidelberg on Monday.

In a year the customer will see the same products, maybe more, said Schreier. But Heidelberg wont produce them all. We will focus on products in areas we excel and sell the best from others.

The company will capitalise on its strength as a brand and as a sales and service organisation.

The firm is looking for partners with lower capacity digital print equipment to complement the NexPress and Digimaster.

It continues to develop plans to realign Heidelberg Digital and its involvement in the NexPress joint venture. It is looking for a firm to buy its digital finishing products, and in the meantime will not launch the ProBinder.

Talks to dispose of its commercial and newspaper web manufacturing and R&D divisions are ongoing, but the firm expects to still sell their products following the sale.

It intends to sell the commercial web finishing wing, but Schreier said the firm would retain newspaper finishing firm IDAB WAMAC, which would operate independently.

It is retaining its 40% stake in Gallus and its commitment to acquire the remaining shares.

Schreier said the timing of the news of its restructure was to ensure it was completed by the close of its financial year in March to put it on a firm footing for Drupa.

We are looking forward to a successful Drupa, but only if the economy picks up, he said. If the economy doesnt revive, Drupa wont change the world.

He added that if the economy didnt pick up the new Heidelberg would be better placed to weather the storm.

Story by Barney Cox