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My name is Stephan Plenz, and I have 35 years of experience in the high-tech industry of Graphic Arts, including more than 20 years in leading management positions for Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. Now I'm using this experience to support companies as an Independent Consultant, Member of the board, or advisory council.

By Stephan Plenz & Morten B. Reitoft INKISH

Morten B. Reitoft: It's well-known that you were a member of the management of Heidelberg, and suddenly you weren't? I am not so interested in why you left - but I am curious - how was your first morning after you departed from Heidelberg? What went through your head? How was it to be in an entirely new situation?

Stephan Plenz: You are never prepared for changes like that; it doesn't matter if they are planned or not. Nevertheless, life goes on, and every situation is good for something and offers new opportunities. I took the break for a long-planned Holiday trip, came back right in time for the first Corona lockdown, time enough to adapt.

Morten B. Reitoft: Looking back at the many years with Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, what have you been involved in that you are particularly proud of?

Stephan Plenz: First of all, I'm proud of so many people I'm still in contact with and the good friends I found all over the world.

As CTO of the company, I've been involved in developing the Sheetfed portfolio as we know it today, with the XL and CX series and the "Fire-Family" for Digital. In addition, the restructuring and integration of Postpress and Gallus and the partnership and collaboration with Masterwork and Ricoh. For sure building, the Shanghai factory for Heidelberg is one of the highlights of my career.

Morten B. Reitoft: If I say Primefire, Labelfire, inkjet, digital print - what comes to mind?

Stephan Plenz: I think of incredible technology developed and built by a highly skilled and motivated team, maybe a bit too early for some markets and applications.

Morten B. Reitoft: Now you are independent - and time has passed. How is life now? Have different customers and/or prospects approached you, or is coming from a senior position a challenge personally?

Stephan Plenz: I got a tremendous amount of positive feedback and comments, and some companies came back to ask for a consultancy which is a great pleasure to do so. Having more time is a gift and enjoying life with family, friends are more than appreciated. You never know how long a period of your life will last; I love both parts, being in a senior position and acting independently.

Morten B. Reitoft: A year after Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, do you now see the old competitors and new technology in a new light, or how do you see the competition in general?

Stephan Plenz: I had professional and good contact with many competitors and have a lot of respect for their work, no changes at all in this subject. There is always competition; you must earn your credits every day; there is no bonus for history.

Morten B. Reitoft: With the growing interest in inkjet technology, how do you see this in a 2, 5, 10 years perspective in relation to the current technologies within the different segments from Label, Packaging, Commercial?

Stephan Plenz: The coexistence of technologies is the most convincing scenario to be envisioned. Offset, flexo, and digital print have different strengths and weaknesses; it's not a religious fight of technologies; it's all about economics and ecological sustainability. Label and Commercial will move more to Digital, in Packaging Inkjet will grow but Offset and Flexo will stay much stronger. Inkjet will be the dominating Digital technology. Timing is hard to predict; every disruptive change takes much longer to start but kicks in harder than thought.

Morten B. Reitoft: If people work with you in your new role as independent, what types of jobs do you find most interesting? And with your broad experience, is print still where your heart beats?

Stephan Plenz: The Graphic Arts Industry is one of the most exciting industries in technologies and output; after three decades of being part of that, I will never leave it behind. Support top management in leading a company and building a robust and future-oriented portfolio with a solid, competitive production and supply chain is the area I love.

Morten B. Reitoft: There is no doubt that some segments in the printing industry have been under tremendous pressure in the past years - if you worked as a consultant for a Commercial printer - can you think of three major areas the PSP should focus on to become/more profitable?

Stephan Plenz: All in all, commercial print volume will decline, doesn't matter what technology you use. Find new fields of activities and be the most productive in what you do. There are only two ways of making money: you are in a niche and keep innovating, or you outperform your peer group in what you do. Don't run away from your challenges; fight them.

Morten B. Reitoft: If you look at yourself - is the role as independent your dream scenario, or do you dream of getting back in the top management of a larger company?

As said, both types of jobs pleased me, and I just started as a consultant, there is so much to do and learn, so many interesting fields and companies to work with, large and small, let's see what the next decade will bring and may we all stay healthy to enjoy it.


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