Heidelberg and its subsidiary Gallus showcased a range of unique digital solutions at Labelexpo Europe 2023 (Stand 11C30). The systems support increased automation of the entire print ecosystem, with the aim of facilitating ‘smart, connected printing’ to address the shortage of skilled labor, increase productivity, and reduce waste.
Heidelberg sees the digital label printing sector as an enticing market for expansion within the digital printing segment. This market exhibits a steady annual growth rate of approximately 6%, prompting a growing shift towards digital solutions. The recent advancements from Heidelberg and Gallus clearly demonstrate their dedication to driving forward this digital transformation. Dr. Ludwin Monz, CEO of Heidelberg, said, “The collaborative solutions created by Heidelberg and Gallus directly tackle the significant challenges that industry stakeholders encounter daily, including the shortage of skilled labor and the increasing demand for greater productivity.”
Labelexpo marked the European trade show debut of the new Gallus One digital label press. Launched in August 2022, the Gallus One was specifically designed to remove the total cost of ownership (TCO) barrier for the adoption of reel-to-reel digital labels with the highest level of automation and cloud-based technologies, thus bringing digital label printing into the wider area. In doing so, Gallus One provides brands, for the first time, with access to cost-effective and sustainable, high-quality digital labels.
Gallus recently launched the new Gallus One with Converting. This new solution brings everything inline, featuring a digital printer with an inline flexo station, a semi-rotary die cutter that can change a job within one minute and process up to 70 m per minute, and vision inspection systems to ensure the highest level of quality and minimize waste.
At the trade show, Gallus also highlighted the newly available digital printing unit (DPU) for the Gallus ECS 340 flexo press. Launched this summer as part of the inaugural Gallus Experience Days, the DPU transforms a traditional Gallus ECS 340 into a Gallus Labelfire 340 hybrid press – but crucially, without the additional platform investment. This allows customers to access all the flexibility and versatility of digital printing but with the reliability and precision of conventional printing and further processing technology.
Also showcased at the event was the new Heidelberg Customer Portal (HCP), which was recently unveiled at the opening of the Gallus Group’s landmark new industry facility – the Gallus Experience Center – and which automates almost every customer touchpoint. In an industry-first, future iterations of the solution will also provide predictive capabilities utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to provide recommendations to drive productivity, reduce maintenance, and boost profitability. The new platform is expected to save customers, on average, up to 35% in both time and money.
“Labelexpo is always such a positive and inspiring arena, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity not only to showcase our latest products at the show but also to connect with stakeholders market-wide and continue to share our vision for the industry’s future,” said Dario Urbinati, CEO, Gallus Group.
