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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Day 2
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.
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.
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.
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.
Speaker

Wortmann

Cross

Burkhardt

Buchroithner

Eckel

van der Wegen

Steinemann

Zipper
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.