The Speedmaster XL105 Heidelberg

The most advanced A1 printing press in the world

The Heidelberg Speedmaster XL105 at Soar Printing is the only one of its kind in New Zealand. Measured against any criteria, it can outperform every other press in the country and has  raised the bar in terms of printing standards.

The speed and efficiency of the Speedmaster XL105 will ensure that even rush jobs meet the highest expectations. And the range of work that we can print will expand to include larger-than-A1 size and printing on card up to 1mm thick – great for packaging. Add to this the Speedmaster’s ability to apply more ink to paper for images that really ‘jump’ with vibrancy and you’ll understand why the XL105 is recognised as the pinnacle of current printing technology.

“This press is so advanced, it takes the breath away from even the most experienced members of our printing team.” Fred Soar, Managing Director

Prime Minister Helen Clark’s comments about Soar Printing

From a speech made on 23 February 2007, at the launch of Soar Printing’s new Speedmaster XL105 from Heidelberg, Germany.

Prime Minister Helen Clark believes there are a lot of exciting things about Soar Printing.

The Prime Minister highlighted the company’s significant commitment to skills training. She said that the whole printing sector is a great industry for training, and Soar Printing is right up there with the best.

“Soar Printing has four modern apprentices, which is the young folk, and also another three work force trainees. That’s a very impressive commitment indeed.” says Helen Clark.

The Prime Minister commented that she loves the innovation about the company. “Adopting the very latest is what’s making Soar Printing an industry leader.”

The Prime Minister also acknowledged that Soar Printing is an exporter, especially to Australia, and as this is export year the government is very keen to back New Zealand’s export companies. Helen Clark is intending to lead a trade mission to Australia in the middle of this year, following on from one undertaken about four years ago.

“I like the fact that Soar Printing gives back to our community, through sponsorship and charities supporting music, sporting, health and young people. That’s extremely positive too.”

The Prime Minister went on to say that she really liked what she read about Soar Printing coming into a sustainability programme run by LandCare, a government research institute.

“Soar Print has a Platinum level award out of the Enviromark scheme because it cares about recycling and energy efficiency. Paper, ink and the plastics it uses are sourced from sustainably produced materials. So, that said, to me this company is doing some pretty special things.”

The Prime Minister commented that Soar Printing is a family business that goes back to 1920, and the fact that it survived the great depression demonstrates the company’s resilience.

Today Soar Printing is an acknowledged leader in the printing industry. It was rated as ‘most exciting’ by NBR in the printing section of its search for exciting companies. The Prime Minster stated that Soar’s employees deserve to be applauded for that.

NBR’s recognition of Soar stems from investment in digital technology three years ago. This helped Soar Printing to grow the direct marketing industry by offering new ways of producing one-on-one marketing.

In the closing minutes of her speech, the Prime Minister said, “Soar Printing believes the Speedmaster XL105 is so radical it will for decades challenge the way people buy print. Over the years, a lot of printing jobs have gone off shore, but with this kind of technology and production capacity it becomes highly competitive to get that sort of work done here - and that is a fantastic development”.

She then went on to say, “So when you see everything that is happening around Soar Print, you see in so many ways it’s a model not only for the printing industry, but for the way industry and companies generally need to move in New Zealand. I think, in the 21st century, it’s a case of innovate or drop far behind. And for a first-world country like ours we have no choice. We have to innovate, we have to up-skill, we have to lift our productivity and that is what tonight’s celebration is all about.”

Finally, addressing Soar Printing director Fred Soar, the Prime Minister said, “I think that this sort of story is a very exciting one and a very inspiring one. Congratulations on the commitment you have made to investing in new technology so you can keep the company moving forward, up with the times, to generate new business. I really wish you and all the staff all the best for the new business and I hope that it lives up to the dreams that you have for it. Go for it.”