PrintWeek had learned that the firm was reviewing the scanner situation, and questioned chairman Bernhard Schreier at the groups Ipex press conference.
Schreier stated: "The scanners business will be a very competitive business in the future. We decided to get out and it will no longer be a business of Heidelberg.
"We will leave it to those manufacturers who can make it more productively than we can do."
Schreier said a "clear product announcement" regarding which products will go and which will remain would be made later this month.
Heidelberg scanners are among the products sold by Cheltenham-based reseller CPS. Managing director Bill Johnstone said: "At the moment they [Heidelberg] are undecided in lots of areas. Its correct they will pull out, but it doesnt mean we will be getting out of desktop scanners."
Johnstone said that sales at the 4,000-7,000 "quality" end of the market were healthy. "Lower down the scale, which is not really our market, its difficult to make money."
A basic LinoScan 1200 desktop model now costs just 199. Heidelbergs entry-level desktop scanners use Umax technology. They are driven by Heidelbergs LinoColor software.
While it seems certain Heidelberg will exit the desktop market, the question mark now is over what the firm will do with its NexScan high-end flatbed and PrimeScan drum range.
Are you looking to upgrade to UV LED technology?
Learn why Grafiche Antiga chose GEW’s LeoLED curing system when they upgraded their sheetfed press.
Have your say in the Printweek Poll
Related stories
Latest comments
"The floundering Konica Minolta, wearied and blood stained, tries in vain to gain footing in the mud of the battlefield. The sound of hooves charges nearer as Fujifilm, in shining armour, breaks the..."
"This may be a sound decision. These high end jobs can sometimes yield a low profit due to high AV. This work may win awards and create a high profile for a company. I would suspect that Bluetree have..."
"I won't get into the "race to the bottom" debate........However the "Customers are free to choose the best price on offer which, by definition, is the most efficient way to manufacture a job" is..."
Up next...
New machines unveiled
Komori reveals Drupa launches
Proposal is 'opportunistic'
Royal Mail parent rejects possible takeover bid
Team has shared vision
25/8 adds merch and workwear with latest buy
Q-line launched in UK