September 16 and 17, 2025

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Together, we are shaping the future of the digital print media industry.

SHIFT 2025 as a new event format
on September 16 and 17, 2025.

Two-day event about process digitalization
and hybrid print production.

Registration

Mark your calendars today and register now here.
After signing up, you will receive hotel recommendations from us.

halle02, Heidelberg
Day 1
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Enjoy a day of expert presentations, visionary keynotes, and inspiring voices from the print media industry. Connect with peers and industry leaders in the vibrant atmosphere of the event location halle02, the converted cargo station in Heidelberg.

Print Media Center, Wiesloch-Walldorf
Day 2
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Experience the latest developments in Prinect Touch Free and hybrid print production through hands-on breakout sessions. These sessions enable individual focus areas and foster in-depth discussions. The program is complemented by smart third-party software solutions and plenty of opportunities to connect with industry peers.

Agenda

Day 1

Tuesday, September 16, 2025
9:30 AM
Arrival
at the event location halle02 in Heidelberg
10:00 AM
Welcome and Introduction
with key industry trends | Jochen Bender, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
10:15 AM
Keynote: Towards a new era of Automation and Intelligence
Prof. Felix Wortmann, University of St.Gallen

The keynote highlights the change from networked machines to autonomous systems in increasingly agent-based companies and shows how generative artificial intelligence and robotics are already transforming companies today and will have an even greater impact in the future.

Break and Networking
11:20 AM
The spectrum of process digitalization in the print media industry
Dominik Haacke, mediaprint solutions GmbH; Martin Klein, ctrl-s; Axel Zöller, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
12:00 PM
The Future of Print: Embracing Automation, Robotics, and Digital Innovation
Rob Cross, Micropress Printers Ltd

Rob Cross from Micropress Printers explains how the company has integrated automation, robotics and smart manufacturing to improve its operations. Using real-world examples, he will show how digitization and advanced software solutions have streamlined workflows, increased production efficiency and supported business growth. Take a look behind the scenes at Micropress’ journey to a smarter, more connected print production environment.

12:20 PM
Striking a Balance between Automation and Specialization
Christian Burkhardt, Bubu AG

The Swiss company Bubu AG has been binding emotions in the form of books for over 80 years and strives for a balanced positioning as a niche provider with a high degree of software-supported automation. In his presentation, Christian Burkhardt will highlight the biggest challenges of process digitization in mid-market companies, which had to be solved by introducing the online portal Bookfactory.

Lunch
starting around 1:00 pm
2:00 PM
Printed or online in digitalized Fundraising: Facts and Emotions in SOS Children's Village Fundraising
Markus Buchroithner, smart letter & Services Mailing and Fulfillment Solutions GmbH

SOS Children’s Villages finances its work in over 130 countries through appeals for donations. Every day, 70,000 children are cared for by their families and 1.3 million are supported in crisis situations. In his presentation, Markus Buchroithner shows how fates are made emotionally tangible and donations are generated. Modern IT and production technologies make it possible for over 100 million personalized appeals for donations to reach their destination every year in german-speaking countries.

2:30 PM
The Power of Processes: How do you digitalize an entire industry?
Hermann Eckel, pagina GmbH Publication Technologies

Hermann Eckel presents the industry-wide initiative of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association for the standardization of IT and production processes in book publishing. He explains the methodology of process modelling as a basis for more efficient digitization projects, which can also be applied in the printing industry, and shows how this can be used to create an innovative platform for the automation of book production processes, which will also enable new business models in the future.

Break and Networking
3:20 PM
Higher efficiency in print buyer communication using AI tools
Noor van der Wegen, artoos group

Noor van der Wegen from artoos presents her brand new project that makes customer communication more efficient. With the help of a new artificial intelligence application, customer e-mails are analyzed for accuracy and completeness and follow-up actions are automatically derived. The order processing department is freed from standard tasks and can concentrate more on selling additional services.

3:45 PM
Turning Vision into Reality: Eliminating Bottlenecks in Label and Packaging Prepress and Finishing
Stefan Steinemann, bauer packaging

Stefan Steinemann from bauer packaging shows how end-to-end digitalization, from customer contact to the cutting of 700 label orders, is handled efficiently and error-free every day. With the help of targeted use of the latest software solutions, bottlenecks are overcome despite a shortage of skilled workers – in future also for the significantly more complex folding carton production. The presentation emphasizes the importance of willingness to change, clear goals and teamwork for successful digital transformation.

Break and Networking
4:45 PM
Smart, relevant, and printed: A Renaissance of Appreciation
Bernd Zipper, zipcon consulting GmbH

In a world characterized by a flood of digital stimuli, print is experiencing a strategic rebirth. Bernd Zipper shows how print is being revitalized by digitalization, artificial intelligence and personalization, even for print run size one, and is gaining ground as a credible, sustainable communication channel in the media mix. Print is becoming the key to the new social need for value, haptics and conscious media use for more differentiation in competition.

Wrap-Up
and Happy hour with Bites and Beverages

Day 2

Wednesday, September 17, 2025
8:30 AM
Arrival
at the Print Media Center, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
9:00 AM
Welcome and Introduction
Nick Trabold, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
9:15 AM
Performance for a digital inkjet print production: Jetfire 50 and Jetfire 75
Mark Ihlenfeld, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
9:30 AM
Process digitalization: Solutions from HEIDELBERG including 3rd party solutions
Claudia Jung and Axel Zöller, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
10:00 AM
Individual Focus Areas in Breakout Sessions
(Round 1 of 4)

Discover the integrated HEIDELBERG technologies for digital and offset printing, finishing, logistics and data analytics driven by automated hybrid print workflows plus 3rd party solutions with Symphony from ctrl-s, James from Conics and the Booxite platform from pagina.

Break and Networking
10:45 AM
Individual Focus Areas in Breakout Sessions
(Round 2 of 4)

Discover the integrated HEIDELBERG technologies for digital and offset printing, finishing, logistics and data analytics driven by automated hybrid print workflows plus 3rd party solutions with Symphony from ctrl-s, James from Conics and the Booxite platform from pagina.

Break and Networking
11:45 AM
Individual Focus Areas in Breakout Sessions
(Round 3 of 4)

Discover the integrated HEIDELBERG technologies for digital and offset printing, finishing, logistics and data analytics driven by automated hybrid print workflows plus 3rd party solutions with Symphony from ctrl-s, James from Conics and the Booxite platform from pagina.

Break and Networking
12:30 PM
Individual Focus Areas in Breakout Sessions
(Round 4 of 4)

Discover the integrated HEIDELBERG technologies for digital and offset printing, finishing, logistics and data analytics driven by automated hybrid print workflows plus 3rd party solutions with Symphony from ctrl-s, James from Conics and the Booxite platform from pagina.

1:00 PM
Event Summary followed by joint lunch
Our experts will be available in the afternoon to answer your individual questions.

Speaker

Felix Wortmann
Felix
Wortmann
Universität St. Gallen
Rob Cross
Rob
Cross
Micropress
Christian Burkhardt
Christian
Burkhardt
Bubu AG
Markus Buchroithner
Markus
Buchroithner
smart letter & Services Versand GmbH
Hermann Eckel
Hermann
Eckel
Pagina
Noor van der Wegen
Noor
van der Wegen
artoos group
Stefan Steinemann
Stefan
Steinemann
bauer packaging
Bernd Zipper
Bernd
Zipper
zipcon consulting GmbH

Real-World Insights

Directions

The event location halle02 is located near the main train station in Heidelberg. Please note that there are no parking spaces available. For participants arriving by car, we recommend using the surrounding parking facilities.

There are also several hotels in the immediate vicinity within walking distance, such as the ATLANTIC Hotel Heidelberg and the Staycity Aparthotel Heidelberg.

On the second day of the event, we offer a shuttle service to the premises of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG in Wiesloch-Walldorf. Reserved parking spaces are available in front of the main building for participants arriving by car.

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