The impressive price-performance ratio of the Speedmaster CX 104 makes it a popular choice among a wide range of customers and therefore the bestseller in the product portfolio of Heidelberg. The 1,000th press in this series has now rolled off the production line and is destined for the Hoifu Group, a Chinese packaging printer with around 2,500 employees that is enjoying strong growth.
The 14-unit special configuration equipped for UV printing will soon start operating at the new site in Yancheng, where it will be integrated into the company’s end-to-end Prinect-based workflow. By making this strategic investment, the Hoifu Group is looking to tap into new markets in the premium packaging segment, especially the luxury food, beverage, and tobacco industry.
Production efficiency, productivity
By making production more efficient, the enhanced automation and stability of the Speedmaster CX 104 also boosts productivity and ensures consistent, reproducible quality. The tried-and-tested color accuracy of this press meets even complex requirements when it comes to printing high-end packaging. What’s more, the combination of automation and consistent color reproduction reduces both makeready times and material consumption.
The wide-ranging service promise of Heidelberg also played a key role in the investment decision. “Besides exceptional technology, Heidelberg also offers excellent service support that goes a long way toward ensuring we achieve our productivity and quality targets in high-end packaging production,” says Ou Shun Chou, chairman of the Hoifu Group, during acceptance testing for the new Speedmaster CX 104 at the Heidelberg production site in Shanghai.
“The Speedmaster CX 104 is our global bestseller, and special long configurations – particularly for premium packaging production – are a Heildelberg specialty,” reveals David Schmedding, chief technology & sales officer at Heildelberg. Long presses combine a whole host of different processes in a single inline operation, meaning end products are available faster and the logistical outlay is minimized.
Especially in the important Chinese packaging market, Heidelberg is seeing booming interest in such specialty presses, which print shops can use to meet the demand for high-finish packaging in-house. Besides state-of-the-art technology with integrated solutions, customers also expect first-class service, including a reliable supply of consumables and spare parts. “The Heidelberg ecosystem offers all these things. It also means we can build on our strong position in the crucial Chinese market and the Asia-Pacific region as a whole,” Schmedding continues.
Third Speedmaster CX 104 for the Hoifu Group
Founded in 1996, the Hoifu Group quickly became a well-known producer of high-end packaging. The company remains on a growth trajectory, and its latest investment in cutting-edge Heidelberg technology marks a key step toward modernizing production operations for high-end packaging. Once commissioned, the new acquisition will be one of three Speedmaster CX 104 presses in the Yancheng site’s production department. The company also operates further Heidelberg sheetfed offset systems at other sites.
