Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is set to introduce the latest generation of its Speedmaster XL 106 at drupa 2024. This new “Peak Performance” model boasts numerous innovative features aimed at reducing costs, addressing the industry’s skills shortage, and enhancing the sustainability of print shops. With substantial productivity improvements over previous models, the Speedmaster XL 106 has attracted global attention. Next week, the Edelmann Group, a leading global packaging manufacturer and system supplier, will install the world’s first Peak Performance Speedmaster XL 106 at its Mexico City facility. This installation is expected to significantly boost productivity and capacity at the site.
The Edelmann Group, a family business established in 1913, operates 13 locations worldwide, employs over 3,000 people, and generates €350 million in sales. Its Mexico City plant specializes in producing folding cartons, packaging inserts and leaflets, and wet-glue labels for the beauty and healthcare industries. While already equipped with several Speedmaster CX presses from HEIDELBERG, the company’s continuous growth necessitated a press that could further expand capacity and improve efficiency. “With many HEIDELBERG machines already in our plant, we knew exactly what we needed,” said Alejandro Galvez, Managing Director of Edelmann Mexico. “We appreciate the reliability of HEIDELBERG.”
The new Speedmaster XL 106 offers higher print speeds of up to 18,000 sheets per hour and features AI-supported assistant systems and enhanced Push to Stop functions, enabling autonomous production even for packaging. These innovations, combined with Prinect Inpress Control 4, will lead to significant productivity gains for Edelmann, including faster makereadies and reduced waste. “We anticipate a significant increase in output with the new XL compared to our current CX presses,” Galvez noted.
To optimize the press’s efficiency, Edelmann collaborated with HEIDELBERG experts to fully customize the press design to suit its production environment. “HEIDELBERG provided the support we needed to configure the machine to our requirements,” Galvez explained. “This hybrid XL machine allows us to print conventionally or with UV curing, expanding our capacity across multiple markets.” Additionally, with two inline coating units, the company can now achieve intricate coating effects in a single press pass, resulting in faster turnaround times and lower production costs.
Edelmann values its partnership with HEIDELBERG, having installed several Speedmaster presses globally. “We are very satisfied with HEIDELBERG’s service, the quality of its products, and how we are treated as more than just another customer,” said Galvez.
