PIA/GATF Announces the 2007 InterTech™ Technology Award Recipients

Sewickley, PA, July 18, 2007—Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2007 InterTech™ Technology Awards. For over a quarter of a century, recipients of this prestigious award have not only had a major impact on the graphic communications industry, but they also consistently prove to be successful in the commercial marketplace.

The independent panel of judges deliberated over technology submissions ranging from printing presses to software solutions to ancillary services. A recurring theme with 2007 InterTech nominations was green printing, and numerous submissions contained solutions to minimize the environmental impact of printing. Great strides in technology were also demonstrated in the form of innovative press design, touchless workflow systems to automate production steps, anti-fraud measures, and new materials and systems that increase productivity.

Recipients were recognized from across the entire production workflow. Thirty-one nominations were submitted, and eleven innovative technologies were selected to receive the award.

The 2007 InterTech™ Technology Award recipients are:
(Listed alphabetically by company, with the technology named first)

:Energy Elite Dual Layer “No Bake” Plate
AGFA Graphics N.V.

Kodak Traceless System
Eastman Kodak Company

EIS UV Printing Blanket Refurbishment
Enviro Image Solutions, Inc.

Esko DeskPack 3-dX
Esko

Fujifilm C-Fit Image Intelligence Software
FUJIFILM Graphic Systems U.S.A., Inc.

Font Emulation in the Harlequin® RIP
Global Graphics Software, Inc.

Heidelberg Anicolor Inking Unit
Heidelberg USA, Inc.

Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105
Heidelberg USA, Inc.

KBA Sensoric Infeed System
KBA North America, Inc.                

ROLAND 700 DirectDrive
MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG

Océ VarioPrint® 6250 Digital Printer         
Océ North America, Inc.                  

Detailed award recipient information will follow in a press release slated for distribution the week of July 30, 2007. A technology review booklet showcasing all thirty-one of the current year’s nominated technologies will be produced by Graphic Arts Monthly for release in Fall 2007.

The coveted Lucite™ InterTech stars, recognized as a symbol of technological innovation and excellence, will be presented to the 2007 award recipients before an impressive audience of industry leaders during the 2007 PIA/GATF Fall Administrative Meetings, November 8–11 in Chicago, Illinois.

For more information about the InterTech™ Technology Awards, contact Dr. Mark Bohan, PIA/GATF Vice President, Research and Technology, at 412-259-1782 or mbohan@piagatf.org, or visit www.intertechaward.com.