Route 1 Print has expanded the onsite solar capacity at its Rotherham production hub. The move advances its sustainability strategy, aimed at helping trade resellers meet demand for lower‑impact print without increasing costs.

The UK trade printer has added 1765 solar PV panels to the roof of its Unit A factory, with an expected annual output of 839.6MWh. This follows a first phase that was completed in 2023, with the installation 646 panels capable of producing an estimated 209MWh yearly output. Combined, the installations are projected to supply approximately 13–15% of the company’s total annual energy needs. The investment is part of a plan to balance energy‑efficiency measures with increased onsite generation and move towards greater self‑sufficiency.

“We’ve seen a clear increase in demand from our resellers for sustainably printed products,” said Jack Parks, head of Route 1 Print. “At the same time, we understand how important pricing is to their buying experience. The expansion of our solar capability allows us to deliver on both fronts, reducing our environmental impact while helping keep prices competitive for our resellers and their clients.”

Sustainability manager Jack Pearson added: “This project marks a major milestone in our sustainability journey, not just for our sustainability goals, but for the way we support our customers. While we still have work to do, the progress we’ve made demonstrates what’s possible when we invest in the right infrastructure and commit to long-term change.”

Route 1 says the solar rollout sits alongside ongoing efficiency improvements and efforts to reduce or eliminate the carbon associated with operations, with further onsite generation opportunities under review. The company plans to release a sustainability report this year to outline progress and future plans aimed at helping resellers remain competitive and meet end‑customer expectations.

The company added that it is open to sharing its experience with other organisations: “We’d be happy to share what we’ve learned throughout this process from an unbiased perspective with any businesses considering solar,” added Mr Pearson.

Founded in 2012 as part of Bluetree Group, Route 1 Print dispatches over 4000 jobs daily from its 147,000sqft site in South Yorkshire.