Kolkata-based DE Converter India has significantly expanded its label and packaging production capabilities by installing a Gallus Labelmaster 440, marking an important development in its 75-year legacy in flexible packaging and converting solutions.
Established in 1950 as a family-run business, DE Converter India has evolved into a diversified group valued at over INR 200 crore, with operations covering laminates, machinery manufacturing, and confectionery packaging. The newly added Gallus press complements the company’s existing flexo printing capacity and is projected to boost production by 10–12% in volume, while improving net profitability by up to 25%. This reflects the company’s strategic focus on sustainable and profitable growth rather than merely increasing output.
Sandip Kundu, director of DE Converter India, explained that although their Lombardi press was performing well, growing customer demands for quicker turnaround times, greater substrate flexibility, and smaller job batches led them to invest in additional technology. “Relying on a single machine isn’t feasible anymore. The Gallus allows us to cut waste, speed up job changeovers, and operate efficiently with fewer operators – essential for meeting tight delivery schedules,” he said.
The decision to proceed was strengthened after successful trials at Gallus’ demonstration center in Pune, where DE Converter evaluated its own materials, including challenging 12-micron polyester and various types of paper.
The Gallus Labelmaster 440 stands out for its modular design, allowing easy upgrades in the future, such as digital plug-in modules. Featuring an eight-colour configuration along with two die-cutting stations, the press is particularly suited for DE Converter’s range of products, including tea-tags, FMCG labels, and specialized short-run packaging. The inclusion of cold-foiling capabilities also enables high-end decorative solutions for premium packaging.
Thomas Frank, managing director of Heidelberg Asia Pacific, said, “India ranks among the world’s fastest-growing printing markets. Technologies like the Labelmaster help converters lower costs, enhance productivity, and stay prepared for future market demands.”
Following this new addition, DE Converter aims to raise its monthly production capacity to 100 tonnes, up from the previous 70–80 tonnes in their narrow web flexo segment. The company is also planning a greenfield expansion, including extrusion lines and roll-trim facilities, on a 14-acre site located in West Bengal.