Xerox announces major print portfolio expansion
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Route 1 Print has purchased two HEIDELBERG Speedmaster XL106-8Ps with Plate to Unit and Push to Stop technology, in order to support growing demand and strengthen its production capabilities
UK-based online trade printer, Route 1 Print, has invested in two HEIDELBERG Speedmaster XL106-8Ps complete with Plate to Unit, LED UV, and automated Push to Stop technology.
The installation forms part of a wider £12m investment programme focusing on equipment modernisation and production capacity expansion, which has been undertaken by Route 1 and its parent organisation, Bluetree Group, at their 300,000sq ft production site in Rotherham.
The investment is intended to support growing demand from customers and strengthen Route 1’s production capabilities, focusing on reducing manual handling and simplifying operations.
HEIDELBERG Plate to Unit is a fully automated logistics system that physically transfers offset printing plates from the imaging department directly into the press's printing units without any human intervention.
Adam Carnell, co-chief executive officer of Route 1 Print, says: “Plate to Unit enables our operators to spend more time focusing on delivering excellent quality rather than manual handling tasks. As demand grows, the two new presses will give us the additional capacity we need to support our reseller partners effectively.”
Route 1 Print selected HEIDELBERG based on a long-standing relationship developed through previous machine investments including a fleet of HEIDELBERG Speedmasters.
Carnell adds: “We know that their technology is class-leading and we know what it can deliver. The Speedmaster XL106-8P with Plate to Unit offered all the features we needed and was a natural fit for our future production requirements.”
The investment has reportedly been well received by the Route 1 production team, with staff highlighting that the new automated equipment that makes operation easier, safer, and more intuitive.
It has been calculated that the new presses are already running up to 40% faster than the previous fleet, driven by more efficient makeready times and integration with HEIDELBERG’s Prinect workflow system.
Jack Parks, head of Route 1 Print, says: “This investment is ultimately about helping our reseller partners serve their own customers even better.
“The new HEIDELBERG presses strengthen our ability to deliver the high quality, dependable service, and fast turnaround their customers expect. Greater capacity and efficiency will also help us keep pricing competitive, enabling our partners to protect healthy margins while giving them confidence that Route 1 Print will remain a reliable, scalable partner for the future.”
