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2012 marks HGE's 45th year of continuous service to the printing and allied industry. We are very proud of our accomplishments, and would like to thank our staff, past and present, for their effort and dedication to the company. We would like to extend our special appreciation to our customers for putting their trust in us in the past 45 years. In conjunction with this special milestone, throughout the year, we will be taking you on a journey down the memory lane, and share with you the special moments in the last 45 years. Stay tuned. |
Various shipments to Asia at the end of 2011 closed our 2011 with a bang and certainly set a positive tone for the new year. Among them were a Bobst SP142E, Heidelberg CD102-6-LX, and a late model UV-equipped Komori LS640C. The end of year sales to the domestic and US markets were also strong with the sale of a 4-color and 5-color Komori, and the most recent sale and installation of a 10-color Komori LS1040P. We look forward to an even better year ahead.
Photo: A 6-color Heidelberg CD102 with tower coater is in transit to its new home at a pharmaceutical firm in South East Asia.

The Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum located in Queenston, Ontario, Canada, is the recipient of a donated Heidelberg “T” platen press from Howard Graphic Equipment Ltd. Commenting on the donation Nick Howard recalls a time not so long ago when the 10” x 15” Windmill was the mainstay of every print shop - large or small. This particular platen was restored by Howard and will take its place among other unique pieces of machinery in the Museum. Watch the slideshow of photographs taken during the delivery of the Heidelberg - CLICK HERE.
The Heidelberg platen is fondly remembered by thousands of shop owners because of its simplicity and flexibility. One could easily print business cards, letterheads, envelopes as well as number, perf and score on this machine. Odd shaped pieces as well as die-cutting could be handled with only minor adjustments. The founder of Howard Graphic Equipment Ltd., Mr. H.W. Howard, was a pressman himself and bought, refurbished and sold many a platen to printers - some of which have grown and purchased other larger machinery, too. In the early days, H.W. and his son Nick, restored and rebuilt many of these machines in various versions, including the later built “GT” larger format platens.
In dedicating the famous Heidelberg platen, Nick Howard along with his wife and partner, Liana, has honoured his father’s memory and spirit which gave rise to the company we have today. Please visit the museum to re-live a lasting legacy of Print - www.mackenzieprintery.org
Interesting facts about The Heidelberg Platen
- The first platen designed in Köln (Cologne) by a German printer named Karl Gilke - 1912
- Gilke sells the patent rights to Heidelberg - 1912
- Schnellpresse, as Heidelberg was called, produced the first windmill platen in 1914
- The Heidelberger Druckautomat, as it was later referred, became the first print machine to be assembled on a movable assembly line - 1926
- In order to distinguish itself from Czechoslovakian copies, Schnellpresse started placing “ORIGINAL HEIDELBERG” crests on its machines - 1950
- H.W. Howard, along with many salesmen involved with the platen, starts taking it on the road for demonstrations all over the province of Quebec, Canada - circa 1955
- Schnellpresse changes its name to HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG - 1967
- The last of the famous Heidelberg platens left the Weisloch factory - over 165,000 were made - 1985
- The Howard donated platen or Tiegel, as it was called in German, was built in 1974
Photographed with the newest addition to the exhibits at the Museum - from left to right - are Harold Meighan (Chairman), Bob Halls, Attilio Tonellato and John Hunt.
The management and staff of Howard Graphic Equipment Ltd. very proudly announce that one of its own, Mr. Francis Danquah, has reached a 30th year milestone with the company. Starting back in November 11, 1981, Francis has been an integral and respected part of our business. Working up through various departments including the machine cleaning and painting unit, to mechanical assistance, and rigging roles, Francis possesses key attributes all companies look for - ATTITUDE and PERSEVERANCE. A special dinner in honour of Francis Danquah’s 30 years of service will be held in early January.
This major accomplishment [30 years] lets Francis join a select club of long standing members and helps to re-inforce the values of Howard Group as one of a family in spirit and practice. Well done, Francis!
Intermart Printers PVT of Colombo, Sri Lanka, has purchased its second Komori - the 4th press from Howard Graphic Equipment Ltd.
Originally a Heidelberg house, Mr. Giri Giritharan made the switch to Komori presses and again chose Howard as its partner. Initially, HGE supplied 7 and 6-colour Heidelberg presses 7 and 8 years ago.
Intermart has now received both Komori presses - a 5-colour L40 and 6-colour LS640 (both with automation and coaters), reconditioned by HGE. Convinced of the quality of the equipment, the first Komori was followed just months later by the second. Our association with Intermart dates back many years and is one of great respect for Mr. Giritharan and his dynamic drive to be the best in Sri Lanka.
WATCH SLIDESHOW
Martino e Vincenzo of Velha, Brazil has taken delivery of a 2005 Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 74-5-P+L. This press is now busy increasing the productivity of the firm and providing much needed print output. The complete purchase, sale, logistics and delivery were handled by HGE.
Perhaps many of our clients don’t realize, but HGE is and has been adept at supplying a vast array of machines besides sheetfed. To highlight this fact, HGE has just shipped both a Muller Martini NB3-S and NB-5-S to the City of Shanghai, China, as well as a KOLBUS 472 Perfect Binding Line complete with 2 HD trimmers, cooling tower and log loaders to Thailand. These massive machines encompassed 10 shipping containers. All logistics and engineering was handled by HGE.
Dalian Printing Company has purchased a late model Speedmaster CD 102-6+LX. The press was supplied and also installed by HGE technicians. Dalian requested full support in getting their press in and running very fast. In a two week period the CD was in, installed and producing which made Dalian very pleased considering they did not have the time to inspect the press here in our Rebuilding Center beforehand.
HGE remains a strong supporter of the Chinese printing industry both in technical support as well as quality machinery.
Rayment & Collins has recently purchased from HGE a UV-equipped 6-color Heidelberg CD press. The highly specified press is equipped with full automation, labor-saving features, and the Heidelberg CANopen. HGE also undertook the installation of the Heidelberg at Rayment & Collins' facility in Toronto.
Established in 1989, the company, with Kevin Collins at the helm since 2000, has provided its customers with the full scope of services and capabilities, with a strong focus on brand development and creative marketing. The Heidelberg is the company's first foray into UV printing.
Howard Direct has just recently launched its new mobile website - www.howard-direct.com/mobile . The site has been designed and optimized to provide the users a quick and easy access to our stocklist from their smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices. Full description and photos are always available on Howard Direct website.
The shipment of a 5-color Heidelberg Speedmaster to Lithuania this Summer marked another milestone in HGE's history. Lithuania joined the other 66 countries we have supplied machines to since 1967. With 44 years of business and over 4,200 units sold, we look forward to continue to provide equipment and services to the printing and allied industries.
We are pleased to present the new and redesigned News & Views website. The News & Views serves as the news portal for the Howard Graphic Group of Companies - Howard Graphic Equipment, Howard Direct, and Howard Graphic Appraisals. The new website will feature articles, news and commentaries, and various media presentations. We hope the new News & Views will continue to provide you with inspiration and become the source for printing related knowledge and technology news.
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