Offset press giant Heidelberg has expanded its packaging portfolio, adding the new Cartonmaster CX 145 in response to the continuing trend for packaging sector growth, in particular long run folding carton printing for food, beverage, and consumer packaging.
The company sees large format class 6 (105cm × 145cm) sheetfed offset presses playing a key role in the future of folding carton printing. Dr David Schmedding, chief technology and sales officer at Heidelberg, says, “Our new Cartonmaster CX 145 makes Heidelberg a full range provider for folding carton printing.
“As part of our growth strategy, we are expanding our range of solutions for the packaging sector and, at the same time, plugging a gap in our portfolio.”
Heidelberg has based the Cartonmaster CX 145 on the Roland Evolution 900 from manroland sheetfed. The press can be integrated into both the Prinect workflow and the workflow solutions of third-party suppliers. Customers can access performance data for their press in the Heidelberg customer portal. Besides the actual press in the Heidelberg design, the package on offer also covers sales, installation, training, and support, including service and consumables.
Global service network
Heidelberg sees maximum press availability, minimal complexity, and a professional, and well established service from the supplier as key investment criteria, especially for packaging producers in the high volume folding carton segment. It adds that the global Heidelberg service organisation offers added value for customers, who now have a more comprehensive portfolio in this market segment.
Schmedding adds, “Our performance promise for all Heidelberg machines includes local support for parts, the global presence of qualified service staff, and quick response times.”
Heidelberg plans the first Cartonmaster CX 145 customer installation for 2026 and a global rollout will follow. The company expects the biggest demand to come from North America, Europe, and China.
Jürgen Otto, chief executive officer of Heidelberg, says, “Adding the Cartonmaster CX 145 to our portfolio is further proof of our credentials as a system integrator for the end to end production of folding cartons. Thanks to our excellent position in the folding carton segment, this new press, too, is expected to be highly popular with customers and generate increasing sales.”
Full range provider
Heidelberg says it now supplies a full range of products for folding carton printing and can provide the right solution for every need. For example, the company offers packaging customers Speedmaster presses in all kinds of configurations in the 50cm × 70cm and 70cm × 100cm formats, all the way through to the new Peak Performance generation of the Speedmaster XL 106.
With its partner MK, Heidelberg also provides ideal solutions for postpress applications, including robotics. The Boardmaster flexographic web printing system in the Heidelberg portfolio covers the top end of the productivity range in folding carton production.
The company says the new Cartonmaster CX 145 plugs the gap between its Speedmaster portfolio and the Boardmaster. The company has integrated all these presses into its digital ecosystem comprising equipment, Prinect software, consumables, and service as well as training and consulting. Heidelberg says it is expanding this ecosystem step by step as it moves toward fully comprehensive end to end production.
