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Heidelberg acquisition paves digital future at Gallus

Adyasha Sinha — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 12:50:32 +0000

Conventional printing 11 April 2025

Heidelberg acquisition paves digital future at Gallus

Dive in to learn how Gallus’ acquisition by Heidelberg in 2014 brought benefits to both companies, particularly in developing digital technology.

Ferdinand Rüesch IV, widely known as Ferdi, has retired after a long and storied career leading his family business, the press manufacturer Gallus.

Winner of the R Stanton Avery Special Recognition Award at Labelexpo Americas last year, he will spend this year visiting and bidding farewell to long-standing customers. It’s an opportune moment to look back, with vindication, on perhaps the most important decision of his 45-year career: the sale of Gallus, the family business founded by his grandfather in 1923 and previously run by his father, Ferdinand Rüesch III, to Heidelberg in 2014. With Ferdi’s retirement, Rüesch family involvement in the company is no more.

‘There is some sadness about that aspect,’ he admits, ‘as there was in 1999 when we sold Heidelberg the initial 30 percent stake in Gallus. But you have a head and a heart, and, in the end, it was a decision of the head. At the time, my father and I decided that it was the best path for the future. It took a while to digest, but I look back, and I know that it was the right decision.’

It is instructive to look at today’s digital printing landscape. Can any major press manufacturer in the sector claim to be a medium-sized, independent, family-run business? All are either major multinational manufacturing corporations themselves or have partnered with one for technology development. Gallus was seeking investment and resources for the development of digital printing technology when it sold an initial stake to Heidelberg in 1999 before completing the sale in 2014.

Global growth

Ferdi Rüesch took over from his father in 1990 and set about accelerating Gallus’ global growth by opening subsidiaries in the US, UK, Germany, Australia and Denmark. Toward the end of that decade, sheet-fed offset press manufacturer Heidelberg, which was keen to diversify into the flexo industry, approached Rüesch about the possibility of an acquisition.

Heidelberg, says Rüesch, was attracted not only by Gallus’ flexo technology but also by its experience in combination printing, where the company would routinely employ different systems such as flexo, UV flexo, offset and screen on its presses.

“I look back, and I know that it was the right decision”

‘We are at home in the roll-to-roll market; their expertise was in sheet-to-sheet. Our technology would complement the Heidelberg portfolio.’

Having not run the company long, Rüesch was reluctant to endorse a full sale. ‘But I knew there was a need for digital printing in the industry and recognized that Gallus needed support in order to develop it,’ he says. Gallus had attempted previous forays into digital press development, including with Benny Landa in the mid-1990s.

Heidelberg offered to acquire a 30 percent stake in a deal that included an option to buy the remaining 70 percent in the future. ‘I spoke with my father about it. We decided it was a good offer to enter this kind of partnership,’ says Rüesch.

The partnership quickly bore fruit, with the joint development of the Labelfire hybrid press and a digital finishing module for the Gallus ECS flexo machine. ‘It was an advantage for customers to have one supplier for these different printing technologies. And Gallus benefited hugely from Heidelberg’s technology expertise. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without Heidelberg’s support,’ says Rüesch.

Following 15 years of collaboration, Rüesch says it was then the right time for both parties to complete the deal. ‘It was complicated to divide the R&D costs. Heidelberg had a greater reach worldwide, they could open doors for us at big companies which we otherwise couldn’t enter.’

The full acquisition was finalized in 2014. Rüesch became Heidelberg’s largest individual shareholder at the time and focused on managing key accounts before becoming a supervisory board member in 2018.

A low point came in 2021 when an attempted acquisition of Gallus by Benpac failed. ‘It was the toughest year of my career. We lost some credibility among the converter market and had to spend all our energy regaining trust from our customers. The fact that my team and I were still in place helped this. It was a lost year and a hard time. But we got through it, and now it is not an issue.’

The high points, in contrast, are many. ‘My proudest achievements are continuing the work of my father and moving Gallus into the digital printing world with Heidelberg,’ says Rüesch. ‘We have a place in the digital arena with products that suit the demands of different profiles of label converters. Heidelberg was looking for growth markets, and the digital label market was one of the biggest areas of growth, so our digital technology development with them was a hugely important achievement.’

Rüesch sees Gallus’ legacy as a series of pioneering presses in different technology areas. ‘Our T180 press set the world standard in combination printing. We were also a pioneer in UV flexo technology, with the industry’s first fully servo-driven flexo press. The RCS330 set a benchmark in roll-to-roll label printing. And our Labelfire hybrid press was launched in 2014. Ten years later, hybrid technology is in fashion. So, we set many benchmarks. My father traveled around the world, so Gallus was early in establishing a global network of customers.

‘The label industry allows a very close relationship between supplier and customer. I see this with Gallus but also with our competitors. There is something special about the industry.’

Gallus CEO Dario Urbinati is clear that Heidelberg’s acquisition of the company in 2014 has been ‘hugely beneficial’. Urbinati joined Gallus in 2007, when Heidelberg was a minority shareholder, and spent nine years with the company before stints at Omet and Actega. He rejoined Gallus as head of sales and service in 2021 before becoming CEO in 2022.

‘We had attempted several times as a smaller company to enter the digital space,’ he recalls. ‘Gallus had shown great ambition and determination to enter the sector. But the timing was not quite right, and the technology was not quite there.

‘Developing digital technology is a different game. It’s not the same as conventional press development. The language is different. It is less mechatronic and requires a better understanding of chemistry and software. It is a challenging, expensive and long-term venture. Partnering with Heidelberg — and then later becoming fully owned by the company — was absolutely the correct decision. Gallus is an important pillar in the Heidelberg Group’s packaging business, which offers long-term growth potential.’

Strategy

Urbinati’s return to Gallus as CEO took place a year after the failed acquisition. ‘It had been a difficult time. But it was the catalyst for a rethinking of our strategy. We spoke to our customers and listened to their challenges. They cited labor, input costs, sustainability and industry consolidation. We drilled down to how we could really address these concerns, and it became the starting point for a new development cycle focusing on smart, connected printing technology. We started designing products together with the customer, for the customer.

‘Previously, we primarily designed machines; now, we primarily design modules. If you have a modular framework, it is easier and cheaper for customers to adjust to an ever-changing production environment, and it provides greater investment security. A customer once asked me: “How can I buy a machine which depreciates over 10 years, when I don’t know what I’m going to print in five years?” I decided to address that challenge.

“We provide the instruments to the customer, and they compose their own symphony”

‘The primary task was reducing the TCO barrier to profitable digital labels, which we tacked with the Gallus One. But ensuring long-term success is about more than just machinery. Modularity and flexibility by design must incorporate all the other elements, such as software, service and overall business model and strategy. By incorporating modules such as inkjet, flexo, screen, converting options, it allows standardization of the production environment while allowing flexibility of application, because you can add or remove modules as you please. We call it “System to Compose”: we provide the instruments to the customer, and they compose their own symphony.

‘In the last couple of years, this new strategy has been put into reality, so I believe that out of a challenging situation came a very positive outcome. The teams at both Gallus and Heidelberg worked together better than ever to adjust to our customers’ challenges.

‘Our success since the new strategy was implemented shows it’s the right path. We want System to Compose to set a new industry standard. It’s an open system designed for collaboration. We have more than 20 industry partners showing their technology in our Experience Center in St Gallen: Esko, Martin Automatic, Actega, Prati and many more.

‘We have some tremendous products in our pipeline. System to Compose will continue to be updated with new technologies and options for our customers. We have a drive to automate our industry to bring ease of use and flexibility to our products and systems. I am excited by our upcoming technology, and I’m sure the industry will be too.’

A consolidating industry

Two key factors are driving the continued consolidation of the label industry, according to Ferdi Rüesch: a generation shift among converting businesses and the influx of private equity investment into the sector. ‘In the 1970s, many industry pioneers founded successful businesses. The second generation then took over 25-odd years later, in the mid-1990s. Now another generation change is happening as that second-generation retires,’ he says. ‘Secondly, private equity investors have been moving into the industry. From a private equity point of view, the label sector is still fragmented and ripe for consolidation. So there are two significant drivers.’ Rüesch points out that in the US, the tax system encourages the sale of businesses rather than passing them down to the next generation. ‘This attitude towards business is now coming to Europe through private equity investment.’ It remains important to carve a niche, he believes. ‘Small and niche is good; big and profitable is good. It is the medium-sized companies that are under pressure. The converting industry is still very strong in local and regional markets, but it can be harder to compete in the international market.’

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Loftware Acquires BL.INK

Piotr Wnuk — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 23:50:53 +0000

Loftware has acquired BL.INK, one of the leading enterprise link management platforms that empowers brands with secure, scalable and data-driven technologies to enhance engagement and streamline digital interactions.

This acquisition furthers Loftware’s long-standing commitment to providing customers with a single end-to-end technology to support their journey from new product development and supplier management through manufacturing and warehouse/inventory management all the way to distribution and consumer engagement.

Delivering SaaS technology, BL.INK’s technology enables connected packaging and digital engagement for global enterprise brands while building trust through product transparency and verification. BL.INK enables brands to create digital product passports (DPPs), helping them engage with consumers through connected packaging and personalized digital experiences.

‘Each part of the supply chain plays an essential role in ensuring products are produced, stored, and shipped with accuracy and consistency to meet consumer demand and standards. This acquisition builds on Loftware’s capabilities to support our customers’ journeys through the entire supply chain,’ said Loftware president and CEO, Jim Bureau. ‘Link management, dynamic QR codes that don’t expire, and no-code DPPs are critical, especially in industries where products, packaging, and digital content are increasingly interconnected. Adding BL.INK’s robust solutions to our portfolio enables us to support global brands in building seamless, trusted data-driven connections between people and information.’

BL.INK offers a product suite which helps global teams build and manage shortened URLs and QR codes with consistent, structured data, improving campaign and data tracking in real time.

Its no-code DPP platform enables brands to create millions of product microsites in minutes, pulling data from any existing sources to share details with consumers. The platform integrates with existing workflows and tools, supports multiple users and roles, and offers security to meet the compliance needs of the most stringent, highly regulated industries.

BL.INK also plays a pivotal role in accelerating adoption as the industry transitions from 1D to 2D barcodes to meet new GS1 Sunrise 2027 and GS1 Digital Link standards.

‘At BL.INK, we simplify the connections between people and information. Our platform empowers businesses to create, manage, and analyze short links and QR codes with unparalleled precision, ensuring every interaction is seamless, data-driven, and secure. That’s why our customer base includes some of the world’s most recognizable brands,’ said Andy Meadows, founder and managing director at BL.INK.

‘This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for our company, enabling us to expand our reach and enhance the value we deliver to our customers. By combining our expertise helping brands communicate with consumers through connected packaging with Loftware's proven reputation in enabling authentic, compliant, and traceable products through a connected supply chain, we are poised to offer an end-to-end solution that empowers businesses to innovate, improve traceability and compliance, and engage consumers in more meaningful ways,’ concluded Meadows.

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Antalis acquires The Packaging Company

Piotr Wnuk — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 02:50:27 +0000

Antalis has acquired The Packaging Company, a provider of innovative packaging, to reinforce its commitment to expanding its presence and enhancing service capabilities within the UK packaging market.

Driving innovation and growth in the packaging industry established in 1994, The Packaging Company (Midlands) has earned a strong reputation for delivering bespoke, high-quality packaging across diverse industries. With annual revenues of 3.2 million GBP and a dedicated team of 24 professionals, the company is widely recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to customer-focused packaging.

Through this acquisition, Antalis significantly enhances its packaging capabilities, broadens its product offering and strengthens its strategic position in the UK market. This initiative aligns with Antalis’ ongoing mission to provide customers with a diverse range of high-performance, sustainable packaging products.

‘We are delighted to welcome The Packaging Company (Midlands) Limited into the Antalis family,’ stated Hervé Poncin, CEO of Antalis. ‘Its expertise in bespoke packaging and manufacturing complements our dedication to delivering innovative and tailored solutions. This acquisition embodies our commitment to developing high-performance, sustainable, and reusable packaging options, empowering us to meet evolving market demands effectively.’

Nicholas Thompson, managing director for UK and Ireland at Antalis, added: ‘The talented and dedicated team at The Packaging Company (Midlands) is known for their creativity, exceptional service, and customer-focused approach. We will unlock new opportunities together, delivering even more innovative, sustainable, and customized packaging solutions to delight our customers.’

Mark Charles, CEO of The Packaging Company (Midlands) Limited, commented: ‘Joining Antalis represents an exciting new chapter for our business. This partnership provides significant opportunities to accelerate our growth, expand our technical packaging range, and further innovate sustainable solutions. Our customers will benefit greatly from access to enhanced resources and the latest packaging technologies. We look forward to collaborating closely to shape the future of packaging.’

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Toppan completes Sonoco’s TFP business acquisition

Piotr Wnuk — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 21:10:46 +0000

Toppan Holdings has closed the acquisition of the thermoformed and flexible packaging business (TFP) of Sonoco Products Company, one of the global leaders in high-value sustainable packaging.

This acquisition is highly complementary, combining the robust sales network, customer base, and technology development capabilities of Sonoco’s TFP business with the technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities of the Toppan Group’s global packaging business.

‘The integration of Sonoco TFP into the Toppan Group is a significant step to enhance our customer experience and provide our products on a global scale,’ said Masahiko Tatewaki, head of Toppan Global packaging business and managing executive officer of Toppan Inc. ‘We are extremely excited to welcome the experienced and talented Sonoco TFP team to the Toppan Group.’

TFP is a leading thermoformed and flexible packaging business serving a wide range of customers in food, retail and medical verticals. TFP provides a variety of complex packaging to value-added categories, including snacks, condiments, healthcare, prepared meals, fresh products, coffee and pet food. On a pro forma standalone basis, TFP generated approximately 1.3 billion USD in 2023.

As part of this transition, TFP will now operate under the Toppan name, and its financial results will be reported in Toppan’s living and industry segments.

Russell Grissett, a respected leader with over 30 years of experience at Sonoco, has been appointed CEO of the new company, reporting to Masahiko Tatewaki. Under Russell’s leadership, the existing management team will remain in place to ensure business continuity.

With this acquisition, the Toppan Group enhances its position as one of the largest global packaging converters, operating more than 60 manufacturing sites in 12 countries.

To improve customer experience, the Toppan Group continues to standardize and streamline its operations globally.

In addition, the Toppan Group plans to launch two business units: Toppan Packaging for the packaging business and Toppan Specialty Films for the high-performance film business, including GL Barrier1.

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Toppan completes Sonoco’s TFP business acquisition

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Toppan Group acquires Irplast

Akanksha Meena — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 06:11:45 +0000

Toppan Holdings, subsidiary Toppan Speciality Films (TSF), based in India, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 80 percent of the issued shares of Irplast, an Italian-based high-performance BOPP film manufacturer, from the current majority shareholder, British-based investment fund Cheyne Strategic Value Credit (SVC).

Irplast is among the leading manufacturer of high-performance BOPP films, using simultaneous biaxial orientation technology to offer transparency, durability, and processability, contributing to reduced environmental impact and improved recyclability and delivering products widely used in various fields, including packaging and labels for food, personal and home care.

Leveraging its extensive experience and technological expertise in the printing and packaging sectors, the Toppan Group will integrate Irplast's advanced manufacturing technologies for high-performance BOPP films to develop and deliver products that meet various customer needs. Furthermore, this acquisition aligns with the Toppan Group's strategic goals of realizing a sustainable society.

Hiroshi Suzuki, executive officer of the Toppan Group leading the global film business, said: ‘This acquisition represents a significant step forward in Toppan's business growth and technological innovation in the film business. By incorporating the advanced technologies and expertise of Irplast, we are confident that we can further enhance our sustainable solutions. Toppan remains committed to contributing to society through the pursuit of sustainable value creation and customer satisfaction.’

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Victory acquires DPL Industri to expand on UV-LED market

Piotr Wnuk — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 22:21:54 +0000

Victory, an infrared and ultraviolet technologies specialist based in the UK, has acquired Denmark-headquartered DPL Industri, one of the leading manufacturers of UV-LED curing lamps. The acquisition will strengthen Victory’s position in the industrial UV-LED market and expand its product offering.

Founded by Henrik and Janny Lindskov, DPL Industri has earned a long-standing reputation for innovation in the UV-LED curing lamp industry. The acquisition allows Victory to expand its capabilities in the UK while integrating DPL’s advanced UV-LED technology into its global manufacturing and distribution network.

Victory will begin manufacturing DPL’s products in the UK, and customers can expect a seamless transition. This will continue DPL’s legacy of quality and innovation.

This acquisition is an extension of Victory’s portfolio and commitment to providing first-class IR and UV technologies across various industries. Integrating DPL’s UV-LED products enhances Victory’s ability to offer high-quality technologies to OEMs, distributors and end-users globally.

Tyler Penman, managing director of Victory, commented: ‘We are delighted to welcome DPL Industri A/S into the Victory Lighting family. The acquisition aligns perfectly with our portfolio of specialist UV and IR technologies across a variety of industries. We are proud to continue the exceptional work that Henrik and Janny Lindskov have pioneered in the UV-LED sector.’

Victory will now offer DPL’s full range of UV-LED curing lamps, including highly efficient, durable units for industrial applications such as ink curing, coating and printing. These products are suitable for use in the printing, packaging and automotive manufacturing industries, offering energy efficiency and long-lasting performance.

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The Oakdale Company acquires Century-Tech

Piotr Wnuk — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 23:05:37 +0000

Century-Tech, one of the leading manufacturers of flexible packaging machinery, has been acquired by The Oakdale Company, positioning the company for rapid expansion through organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

Under The Oakdale Company’s stewardship, Century-Tech will accelerate product development, scale operations and expand its market reach. The company plans to grow aggressively organically through innovation and inorganically through acquiring complementary packaging machinery companies.

Over the coming months and years, Century-Tech will actively seek add-ons and tuck-in acquisitions to enhance its capabilities and broaden its product offerings for packaging clients across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa.

With The Oakdale Company’s backing, the company will expand R&D and product innovation, enhance customer support and service, scale operations and workforce and pursue strategic acquisitions.

‘The Oakdale Company is committed to Century-Tech’s long-term success and growing the company to become a significant partner to the industry’s converting leaders,’ said Clinton Townsend, CEO of The Oakdale Company. ‘We see immense opportunity to expand Century-Tech’s market presence and product portfolio, and we are actively seeking additional acquisitions to complement and strengthen its offering. Our focus is on sustainable, strategic growth that benefits customers, employees, and the broader industry.’

Century-Tech’s leadership team, including Peter Terranova (president), Louis Mastrangelo (vice president), Geovanny Quintero (head of parts) and Rick Gallandt (head of North American sales), will remain in place, ensuring continuity and a seamless transition.

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Tecnocut sponsors Omet's Innovation Park

Adyasha Sinha — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 13:33:05 +0000

Tecnocut has collaborated with Omet to sponsor the latter's Innovation Park, which is dedicated to technological advancement in the printing industry. Spanning 1,500sqm, the Innovation Park is designed to foster connections between printers, converters and suppliers of materials and technologies.

This space hosts live printing demonstrations, advanced testing and trials of new materials, providing valuable support to enhance decision-making processes and production efficiency.

The partnership between Tecnocut and Omet further strengthens their relationship, establishing the Innovation Park as a key center for developing groundbreaking ideas. More than just a showroom, this facility serves as a permanent exhibition center, showcasing various printing and converting technologies that are always available for customers and partners to explore new business opportunities. The Innovation Park is also suitable for hosting events, technical and commercial meetings, training sessions, and product testing.

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Tecnocut sponsors Omet's Innovation Park

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Xsys completes MacDermid Graphics Solutions acquisition

Piotr Wnuk — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:20:15 +0000

Xsys, a supplier to the flexographic, letterpress and pre-press printing markets, has completed the acquisition of the MacDermid Graphics Solutions business (MGS) from Element Solutions.

The transaction was signed on September 1, 2024, and has been approved by all the relevant regulators globally. The combination of Xsys and MGS will create one of the leading companies in the sector worldwide.

‘We are excited to announce the completion of this transformative combination and to join forces with our new MGS colleagues,’ said Dr Alexander Unterschuetz, group CEO of Xsys. ‘This transaction creates significant value and opportunities as a result of the complementarity of both businesses’ product portfolio, services, and employees, thus making us a more complete solution provider for our customers.

‘This, together with the strengthened knowledge and resources of our dedicated technical support teams, will enable us to deliver even better products and services to our customers, who are at the center of everything we do.’

The combined business will have a workforce of approximately 850 employees worldwide and turnover of approximately 370 million EUR.

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Xsys completes MacDermid Graphics Solutions acquisition

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WestCamp acquires Lake Graphics Label & Sign Co

Piotr Wnuk — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 21:45:15 +0000

West-Camp Press has acquired Lake Graphics Label & Sign Co. to support its growing customer base in the Cleveland market and expand its label capabilities.

WestCamp was founded in 1961 as an offset commercial printer and has grown into a marketing and graphics provider, covering traditional offset, cut sheet digital and grand format. The company became 100 percent employee-owned in 2015 and since 2017.

Rob Morris, WestCamp CEO, stated: ‘We are very enthusiastic about adding Lake Graphics. Mark and his team have done a great job of building and expanding their business. The Cleveland market is an exciting place to be and it is me to grow our presence here. With WestCamp’s strength and stability along with Lake Graphics’ knowledge of the people and customers, we will be able to provide a premier service and product to Cleveland.’

Lake Graphics was formed in 2009 as a wide-format printer and added labels to the mix in 2013.

Mark Tangry, Lake Graphics president, added: ‘Joining with WestCamp is the perfect step for us. We have known the WestCamp team for years and being aware of how they do business makes this an easy move. We are doing well for a small shop, but WestCamp means we can confidently handle the larger jobs and increase the offerings we can provide to our customers.’

With the acquisition on, WestCamp triples its production space in Cleveland. In addition to keeping all of the current employees the combined companies are adding more personnel. Lake Graphics will operate as a division of WestCamp.

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WestCamp acquires Lake Graphics Label & Sign Co

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The company supports its growing customer base and expands its label capabilities.

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The company supports its growing customer base and expands its label capabilities.

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Heidelberg acquisition paves digital future at Gallus

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Loftware Acquires BL.INK

Antalis acquires The Packaging Company

Toppan completes Sonoco’s TFP business acquisition

Toppan Group acquires Irplast

Victory acquires DPL Industri to expand on UV-LED market

The Oakdale Company acquires Century-Tech

Tecnocut sponsors Omet's Innovation Park

Xsys completes MacDermid Graphics Solutions acquisition

WestCamp acquires Lake Graphics Label & Sign Co