Route 1 Print & Bluetree Group Invest in Two HEIDELBERG Speedmaster XL106-8Ps

The UK’s largest online trade printer, Route 1 Print, has invested in two HEIDELBERG Speedmaster XL106-8Ps with Plate to Unit, LED UV and fully automated Push to Stop technology. The installation forms part of a wider £12 million investment programme.

Operating from its 300,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Rotherham, the investment is intended to support growing demand and strengthen Route 1 Print’s production capabilities.

“Plate to Unit enables our operators to spend more time focusing on delivering excellent quality rather than manual handling tasks,” said Adam Carnell, Co-CEO of Route 1 Print. “As demand grows, the two new presses will give us the additional capacity we need to support our reseller partners effectively.”

Route 1 Print selected HEIDELBERG based on a long-standing relationship developed through previous machine investments. “We know that their technology is class-leading, and we know what it can deliver,” said Carnell. “The Speedmaster XL106-8P with Plate to Unit offered all the features we needed, and was a natural fit for our future production requirements.”

The investment has also been well received by the production team. Staff have completed training and are enjoying working with the highly automated new equipment, which makes operation easier, safer and more intuitive.

The new presses are already running up to 40% faster than the previous fleet, driven by super-efficient makeready times, advanced automation and integration with the HEIDELBERG Prinect workflow.

“This investment is ultimately about helping our reseller partners serve their own customers even better,” said Jack Parks, Head of Route 1 Print. “The new HEIDELBERG presses strengthen our ability to deliver the high quality, dependable service and fast turnaround their customers expect. Greater capacity and efficiency will also help us keep pricing competitive, enabling our partners to protect healthy margins while giving them confidence that Route 1 Print will remain a reliable, scalable partner for the future.”

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Route 1 Print and are proud to support the business as it continues its impressive growth journey,” said Ryan Miles, Managing Director of HEIDELBERG UK.

Route 1 Print was founded in 2012 as part of the Bluetree Group and is the UK’s largest online trade print provider. The company dispatches more than 4,000 jobs every day from its 300,000 sq ft production hub in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Route 1 Print was a

national winner at the European Business Awards in 2018 and 2019, won Manufacturer of the Year at the 2022 IPIA Recognising Excellence Awards, and was named Environmental Company of the Year – Large Enterprise at the 2026 PrintWeek Awards.

September 2026

For further information, please contact:

Eirini Spanou, HEIDELBERG UK, on 02084-903796

Or

Trevor Tordoff, HEIDELBERG UK, on

Or

Macauley Hardeman, Route 1 Print, on 01502-725800