Since its unveiling at China Print 2021, the Speedmaster CX 104 has established itself as Heidelberg's best-selling sheetfed offset press ever, at this stage in its life cycle. More than 950 units have been installed worldwide, for a total of 6,100 printing, coating and drying units delivered, and in a single year these installed systems produced eleven billion sheets.
Designed to meet a wide range of needs, particularly in packaging, the CX 104 accepts a wide range of substrates, from lightweight paper to solid board. Its speed can reach 16,500 sheets per hour. The offset press is compatible with configurations ranging from four to twenty units, including options for cold foil stamping (FoilStar), web feeding (CutStar), and automated control via Prinect. The longest configuration installed to date comprises 17 units and is used by "for the manufacture of high-quality packaging and specialized printing products" says the German manufacturer.
Several companies have structured their production facilities around this press. Here are four examples from the packaging sector.
Beneco Packaging (Canada): the Speedmaster CX 104, ".. consistently high productivity"
Based in Ontario, Canada, Beneco Packaging serves over 4,000 customers in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors from two sites. In 2023, the packaging manufacturer put a Speedmaster CX 104-7+L into production, complementing a CX 102. According to its president, Carol Jiang, this new printing system has proved to be cost-effective and flexible for print runs of all sizes, thanks to its fast makeready processes, the high productivity of the Speedmaster CX 104 and its very low maintenance requirements.
"We can run the Speedmaster CX 104 with consistently high productivity and excellent print quality."
VJ7 Printing & Packaging (Philippines): a Heidelberg workflow, from engraving to folding, for a significant increase in output
Based in Valenzuela City in the Philippines, VJ7 Printing & Packaging, has been meeting growing demands in the packaging of food products, such as cereals or milk, since 2014. Faced with this increase, in 2022 the company modernized its site by installing the archipelago's first Speedmaster CX 104. It also integrated the Prinect Production workflow, an Easymatrix 106 diecutter, a Diana Easy 115 folder-gluer and a Polar N 115 PF cutter.
According to managing director Enrico Olivares Santos, standardization of the entire chain, from engraving to folding, has enabled a significant increase in output. Centralized control via Prinect Production has helped to streamline operations, and the high level of automation has enabled us to keep pace with increasing demand. The 24/7 video assistance service is presented as a key factor in technical security.
Okahashi (Japan): 1.5 million sheets printed per month
Japan's Okahashi, based in Kashihara, specializes in packaging for the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics industries. In 2024, the manufacturer reinforced its production facilities with a Speedmaster CX 104-7+L, complemented by a Promatrix 106 FC for hot stamping and a Diana Eye 55 inspection system.
Every month, the press handles 340 production orders, representing 1.5 million sheets. Job changeover is completed in 30 minutes, with a 2% waste rate.
The company attributes this performance to the automation of colorimetric control via the Prinect Inpress Control system, which has also reduced the need for final checks. The team notes improved color stability and reduced paper waste.
Allied Media (United States): a threefold increase in productivity
Allied Media, a family business based in Fenton, Michigan, operates in the direct mail and printing markets for political parties and the automotive industry. After several years of production on reconditioned equipment, it invested in a Speedmaster CX 104-4. Three months after commissioning, the company estimates that its productivity has tripled.
This gain is attributed to the reduction in makeready time and the acceleration of production lead times. Technical coherence with the rest of the fleet - a Suprasetter CTP, three Versafire presses, a Stahlfolder KH 82 folder - is also seen as an efficiency factor, particularly in the management of job sequences.
Heidelberg now offers a web configurator dedicated to the CX 104. This service enables printers to simulate different combinations according to their production needs.
