Buyer

RRD expands strategic digital print agreement with HP to advance SMART manufacturing architecture. 14 October 2026 13:02 HP and RRD today announced an expanded strategic agreement that will see 15 HP digital presses deployed across key RRD manufacturing locations, extending their long-standing relationship through 2029. Building on the investment announced at drupa 2024, the deployment will expand digital production capacity and operational flexibility while supporting RRD's global Systematic Manufacturing, Automation & Robotic Transformation (SMART) manufacturing framework. This next phase reflects RRD's continued investment in HP's digital print technologies, services, and solutions to meet evolving client needs across commercial print, direct mail, packaging, labels, and statement applications. By integrating HP technology into its standardized data infrastructure, the expanded agreement supports RRD's broader SMART manufacturing architecture, which enables AI-driven predictive maintenance, dynamic production scheduling and network capacity balancing to help mitigate supply chain disruptions. It also underscores a shared focus on operational efficiency, workforce enablement, production agility, and scalable long-term growth. "Customers increasingly expect print to be more personalized and responsive to their needs, whether it's a statement, a direct mail campaign, or a package," said Craig Roberton, President, Marketing and Operational Print at RRD. "They need greater flexibility without compromising the reliability and consistency they expect at scale. This expansion gives us the capacity and capabilities to deliver on both, while enabling our teams to take on more complex, data-driven work with increased speed and efficiency." For more than 30 years, HP and RRD have worked together to advance large-scale digital print production across RRD's global network, driving greater flexibility and efficiency in increasingly dynamic print environments. "The agreement between RRD and HP goes beyond the purchase of assets," said Alan Gardner, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Process Management, RRD. "It ensures that technological advancements are incorporated into future thinking and project planning. By continuing to collaborate, both companies work closer together and find opportunities to advance manufacturing technologies, associated automation, and functionality to remain highly competitive." "RRD has been one of the industry's most forward-looking print providers for decades, consistently investing in technologies that create a real operational and commercial advantage," said Oran Sokol, Vice President of Strategy and Solutions, HP Graphics Solutions Business. "This next phase reflects the confidence RRD has in HP technology to support their production strategy. Together, we're helping build a more connected, agile, and digitally driven future for the graphics industry."

RRD unveils recyclable paper mailer. The mailer supports the shift away from mixed-material formats such as paper-and-bubble mailers that are harder to recycle. RRD has introduced a paper mailer that uses a paper peel-and-seal strip and is intended for kerbside recycling. The new VersaPac FastTrack Paper Mailer adds to the company's packaging range to help brands cut plastic use and reduce packaging waste. According to the company, the mailer supports the shift away from mixed-material formats such as paper-and-bubble mailers that are harder to recycle and may face higher extended producer responsibility charges. RRD also said the product is in line with California's SB54 plastic reduction rules. The mailer was developed by RRD's internal research and development team. The company said it uses a recyclable paper closure rather than silicone-coated poly strips, which it noted can cause recycling contamination and create slip hazards. The flat, non-padded format is intended to reduce empty space in shipments, which may help reduce dimensional weight surcharges and avoid anti-waste packaging penalties. The paper has been tested for fulfilment settings and is designed to work with robotic vacuum systems while the adhesive is intended to bond quickly during packing. This product sits within a wider packaging portfolio that also includes the Flex Mailer, rigid boxes and corrugated packaging. The mailer can also be used with the company's VersaTac Liner-Free shipping labels and VersaTac IQ RFID labels. RRD business development, integrated packaging vice-president Craig Lombardi said: "The market for paper mailers has seen explosive growth in recent years, driven by both regulatory pressure and a clear consumer preference for eco-friendly shipping. "By leveraging our deep engineering expertise and manufacturing strengths, we've developed a solution that bridges the gap between ambitious sustainability goals and high-velocity operational needs. This paper mailer turns recycling from a chore into a subconscious win for our clients and consumers." Give your business an edge with its leading industry insights.