Interesting technology briefings were given by several suppliers on the eve of IPEX, opening tomorrow in Birmingham, England. MAN press unit MAN Roland, now owned 65% by Allianz, says Artoos, with locations in Belgium and the Netherlands, has ordered its third direct imaging DICOweb press, and that it is developing a 6-color version of its recently updated four-up Roland 200 press (2-, 4-, and 5-color formats are offered). MAN Roland will demonstrate its Roland 700 InLine Foiler, in use in China and Europe and due at a user in North America by this summer. The foiler lays down sticky glue in one press unit; foil from rolls mounted in a second unit adheres to the glue. Rolls may now be segmented for multi-color foiling.

  MAN says it will provide a working demonstration of its servo-driven sheetfed press, and that it has begun an expansion program-through organic growth and possibly acquisitions-to increase in size.

  "We believe it is the right time" for the press division's independence from its parent and from investors, said Gerd Finkbeiner, chairman. (MAN AG sold a majority of the MAN Roland printing press division to Allianz. e-GAM 3/17/05)

  The company is examining steps, such as selling more supplies and doubling service sales (now 15% of income), so "we can make this company fit for a public offering" in a few years.

  Canon announced details and pricing of its new high-speed color press-the imagePress CV7000VP (code named the model Y) prints 70 ppm on 13x19.2" sheets. It will sell for