Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is debuting the newest generation Speedmaster XL 106 during drupa 2024. The new “Peak Performance” model, with numerous innovative features, has been designed to help printers cut costs, alleviate the industry’s skills shortage, and improve print shops’ sustainability. With a significant improvement in productivity compared to previous generation machines, the new Speedmaster has garnered worldwide attention. The Edelmann Group, a leading global packaging manufacturer and system supplier, will begin installation of the world’s first Peak Performance Speedmaster XL 106 in Mexico next week. Edelmann anticipates the new Speedmaster XL 106 will significantly increase the productivity and capacity at its Mexico City production site.

A family business started in 1913, the Edelmann Group has expanded to an impressive thirteen locations worldwide with over 3,000 employees and €350 Million in sales. Its Mexico City facility specializes in the design and production of folding cartons, packaging inserts and leaflets, and wet-glue labels for the beauty and healthcare industries. While equipped with several Speedmaster CX presses from HEIDELBERG, after years of growth, the company needed a press that could significantly expand its capacity and improve its efficiency to better serve its customers. “Being a plant with many HEIDELBERG machines, we were very sure of what we were looking for,” said Alejandro Galvez, Managing Director of Edelmann Mexico. “We like the reliability of HEIDELBERG.”

The new Peak Performance generation of the Speedmaster XL 106 runs at higher print speeds of up to 18,000 sheets per hour and is equipped with AI-supported assistant systems and enhanced Push to Stop functions, which means autonomous production is now possible even for packaging production. The new press innovations together with Prinect Inpress Control 4, mean significant productivity improvements for Edelmann, including faster makereadies and reduced waste. “We expect a considerable increase in output on the new XL versus our current CX presses,” said Galvez.

To further maximize the press’s efficiency, Edelmann worked alongside HEIDELBERG experts to completely customize its press design to best suit its production environment. “HEIDELBERG gave us the support we needed to configure the machine to meet our needs,” said Galvez. “This XL being a hybrid machine gives us the flexibility to print conventionally or with UV curing – allowing us to grow capacity in several markets.” Additionally, with the addition of two inline coating units, the company will now be able to complete intricate coating effects all in one pass on press, contributing to faster turn times and lower production costs.

With several Speedmaster presses installed worldwide, Edelmann likes the assurance of having HEIDELBERG as a reliable business partner. “We are very satisfied with the service supplied by HEIDELBERG, the quality products it manufactures, and how we are treated as more than just another customer,” said Galvez.