CHICAGO (News release) -- RRD, a global provider of marketing, packaging, print, and supply chain solutions, is investing in first-to-market robotic technologies and advanced digital print presses from HP to transform its Austell, GA facility into a state-of-the-art commercial print hub. The investment doubles the site's workforce and sets a benchmark for rapid, high-volume digital production and automation.
"RRD is driven by a passion for innovation," said Craig Roberton, President of Commercial Print, RRD. "Our latest investment exemplifies a commitment to lead the industry and stay at the forefront of emerging technologies and trends that benefit our clients. We're not just working to enhance RRD's capabilities -- we're empowering our clients to achieve measurable results and thrive in an ever-evolving industry."
The investment enables RRD to deliver high-speed, high-quality, variable print-on-demand services to meet evolving client demand and anticipated industry shifts. The Austell site features HP's new Indigo 120K Digital Press and PageWide Advantage 2200 with HP Brilliant Ink. The equipment is designed to empower high-volume production businesses by delivering speed, reliability, and cost-efficiency. The equipment also elevates RRD's capabilities and delivers benefits such as:
- higher ROI customer acquisition products
- hyper-personalization, which enables brands to tailor messaging to each consumer based on their unique relationship with the brand
- productivity and quality that rival offset printing
- added versatility for short, medium and long runs on a variety of substrates
- accelerated job production with AI-driven automation
- Pantone color matching to ensure brand consistency
- aqueous and ultraviolet coating options
- increased sheet and saddle stitch booklet options
- minimized waste
RRD's Austell location will also be among the first commercial print manufacturing facilities in America to implement industry-first robot technology.
Through an ongoing partnership with HP, RRD will deploy two autonomous mobile robots designed specifically to bolster efficiency. The robots feature intelligent software that communicates with HP Indigo presses. This communication allows for interfacing with presses, manages pallet locations in the warehouse and near presses and finishers. The robots can load and unload media directly into and out of presses, streamline workflows, eliminate safety risks, and keep the presses continuously operational to bring client projects to life faster.
"Our longstanding and deep partnership with RRD demonstrates our mutual commitment to delivering innovative solutions that create new business opportunities in an industry where speed and personalization are increasingly important," said Oran Sokol, VP & Global Head, Strategic Accounts, HP.
Beyond increased production space, RRD's Austell facility will add new client-focused building enhancements including viewing and observation rooms where the production process can be observed. Upgrades are expected to be complete in the first half of 2025, with additional digital transformations planned across RRD locations over the next several years.
For more information about RRD, visit https://www.rrd.com/locations/rrd-austell.
