"The printing market in China is expected to expand by over ten times in the next ten years," said Markus Rall, managing director of MAN Roland Greater China.

Each Chinese consumes printed material worth an average three US dollars annually while the amount is US$300 in Europe.

"The large gap brings huge market potential," Rall said.

The company's sales in China account for 10 percent of its world total.

MAN Roland Group plans to expand its market share of sheet fed printing to 25 percent in China and keep the market share of rotary printing presses at 40 percent.

The company will also develop its digital printing business here, expecting sales to reach 100 million euros.

A new service will also be promoted by MAN Roland Shanghai to meet the special needs of Chinese clients. The company intends to offer technical support and training for technicians in a bid to help local clients reduce costs.

The German-based MAN Roland Group, founded 150 years ago, had global sales of 15.58 billion euros last year.

(Xinhua News Agency August 23, 2002)