SHERIDAN, WYOMING - December 8, 2025 - Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) has reached a major milestone with the delivery of its 1,000th Speedmaster CX 104 press, a 14-unit specialty configuration bound for the fast-growing Chinese packaging printer Hoifu Group, underscoring strong demand for high-performance, value-optimized presses in the premium packaging market.
Global Bestseller Targets High-End Packaging Growth in China
The Speedmaster CX 104 has become the bestseller in HEIDELBERG's portfolio thanks to its attractive price-performance ratio and broad suitability for commercial and packaging applications. The landmark 1,000th unit will be installed at Hoifu Group's new site in Yancheng, where it will run as part of an end-to-end, Prinect-based workflow.
Configured with 14 units and equipped for UV printing, the press is designed to help Hoifu capture new opportunities in the luxury food, beverage and tobacco packaging segment. For brand owners and converters, such long, highly automated lines enable complex value-added finishing in a single pass, improving consistency while shortening time to market for sophisticated packaging designs.
Automation, Stability and Color Precision Drive Business Case
Production efficiency was a central factor in Hoifu's investment decision. The enhanced automation and stability of the Speedmaster CX 104 are engineered to increase throughput while maintaining tightly controlled quality standards. The press's proven color accuracy is tailored to the demanding requirements of high-end packaging, where brand colors, fine detail and repeatability are non-negotiable.
At the same time, the combination of intelligent automation and consistent color reproduction reduces makeready times and material consumption. For a high-volume packaging plant, these gains translate into lower unit costs, more predictable schedules and improved sustainability performance through reduced waste.
"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.
Long Configuration Specialty Presses for Inline Production
The Hoifu investment also highlights a broader trend: growing interest in long, specialty configurations for premium packaging. "The Speedmaster CX 104 is our global bestseller, and special long configurations - particularly for premium packaging production - are a HEIDELBERG specialty," reveals Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. 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 China's important packaging market, HEIDELBERG is seeing booming demand for such specialty presses that allow print shops to bring high-finish work in-house. Beyond hardware, customers are looking for integrated solutions, from workflow to consumables and lifecycle support. "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.
Strengthening a Long-Term Technology Partnership With Hoifu
For Hoifu Group, founded in 1996 and now employing around 2,500 people, the latest investment marks another step in a long-standing technology relationship. Once commissioned, the new Speedmaster CX 104 will be the third of its kind in the Yancheng site's production department, alongside additional HEIDELBERG sheetfed offset systems at other locations.
The expanded press park is intended to modernize production and provide the headroom needed for continued growth in high-end packaging. For HEIDELBERG, the project reinforces its positioning as a strategic partner to leading Chinese converters, capable of delivering not just standalone machines but complete ecosystems that support productivity, quality and service expectations in one of the world's most competitive packaging markets.
For more information about HEIDELBERG solutions for packaging and commercial printing, visit www.heidelberg.com.