Since May 2011, commercial and packaging printer Heidenreich Print, based in Bünde, East Westphalia (Germany), has been producing with the world's first Speedmaster XL 145 for hybrid applications from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). The press is a six-color Speedmaster XL 145 with coating unit that can be operated either conventionally or, thanks to three UV interdeck dryers and a UV dryer in its delivery, can be run as a hybrid or UV machine, as well.

In recent years, Heidenreich Print has built up a reputation as an experienced UV specialist in high-end commercial printing. After using presses of a different make for many years, the decision was taken in March 2010 to switch the entire press park over to machines from Heidelberg. A Speedmaster CD 102-5+L had been installed in August 2010, followed by a Speedmaster XL 105-6+L UV in January 2011 and now the Speedmaster XL 145-6+L UV. "This has given us even more flexibility to respond to customer requirements ranging from standard print to high-finish premium print products," Hendrik Heidenreich, Managing Director of Heidenreich Print, affirmed. He is also impressed with the user-friendliness of the Heidelberg presses: "In the past, we had to meticulously plan which operator would produce which orders on which machines and when. Thanks to the Heidelberg machines, we no longer have this problem. Our staff are impressed by the user-friendliness. Delivering first-class quality isn't a headache anymore."

Rudolf Becker, Commercial Director at Heidenreich Print, is particularly pleased with the increase in productivity: "Even with the Speedmaster CD 102, we produced 25 million sheets in the first six months after taking it into service. We would have needed 15 months to produce that volume in the past. The Speedmaster XL 105 could even boost this output - just four weeks after commissioning the press, we completed an order of three million sheets with a net output of 16,500 sheets per hour. And the Speedmaster XL 145 has helped us achieve a whole new level of performance in the large-format sector, too."

Established in Bünde in 1991, Heidenreich Print has a workforce of around 60 and handles both high-quality commercial orders and subcontracted orders in the packaging sector. The company's skills have won it numerous accolades including silver and bronze in the "Sappi European Printer of the Year" competition.

For further information about the company and image material, please visit the Press Lounge of the Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at www.heidelberg.com.