Heidelberg outlines digital aspirations

Full details of the DCS 340 can be read here, but Heidelberg described it as the ‘next milestone in the company's strategic realignment’, particularly in terms of significantly expanding sales in the digital sector over the medium term.

Heidelberg has formed strategic partnerships in pursuit of this growth aim, including working with Fujifilm. It also recently completed the full takeover of Gallus.

Heidelberg chief executive officer Gerold Linzbach (pictured) said: ‘We are pursuing a growth strategy in our digital printing operations.

‘Today, less than 12 months after we started our collaboration with Fujifilm, we can stand alongside Gallus and unveil the first print-ready system.

‘The only way to rapidly leverage growth potential in digital printing is through partnerships. This helps us get a lot closer to our medium-term sales targets in the digital sector.’

Linzbach added: ‘Heidelberg has reached another milestone in its realignment in the digital sector. The next steps to develop additional digital printing systems as part of the collaboration with Fujifilm are already being taken.’

Stefan Heiniger, chief operating officer of the label business at Gallus, said: ‘Due to continuing growth in short-run label production and personalized, versioned labels, we are seeing investment on the market steadily shift towards printing presses that utilise digital printing. The growth potential for this printing method is considerable and we expect to see high growth rates over the next 10 years.

‘Thanks to the Gallus DCS 340, label printers will be able to enjoy the benefits of efficient digital production and a full range of functions, even when handling short runs and personalised jobs – just as they have come to expect from Gallus machine systems.’

Ferdinand Rüesch, the owner of Swiss-based Gallus Holding prior to the Heidelberg takeover, said: ‘It is only by working with a strong partner such as Heidelberg that Gallus can overcome the long-term challenges facing digital printing in our sector and still make full use of the potential that is out there’.