Xerox is fighting the challenge posed to its high-speed monochrome business by the Heidelberg Digimaster 9110 and its derivatives with the release of a new DocuTech, the 6115, and price cuts to the 6100.
In a company statement which contains a thinly veiled reference to Heidelberg the firm said: "Xerox product portfolio was enhanced earlier this week by the launch of the DocuTech 6115, which leapfrogs with greater speed and lower costs than the competitors single entry into this market space."
It has already begun shipping in the US for 182,000 ($272,000), which is competitive with the cost of the Digimaster. Exact details of UK pricing and availability have yet to be set.
UK marketing manager graphic arts Peter Vincent said: "The reality of whats going on out there is that were not being particularly affected by Heidelberg."
The UK market for high-end print products is in a strong position enjoying growth in sales against a trend of declining sales, which fell 11% globally in the second quarter for black & white. This was seen by the firm as a significant cause of its financial woes and was in part blamed on the entrance of new competitive products affecting customers buying decision.
Xerox received another pummelling from the market following the release of its second quarter figures. Net income fell 68% to 97m on turnover down 4% to 3.1bn.
The release of its results and a warning from chief executive Paul Allaire that estimates for the second half of the year should also be lowered sent shares down by 18%.
Story by Barney Cox