etic.a invests in Bobst Digital Master 340

Italian label printer etic.a has installed a Bobst Digital Master 340 all-in-one label press to better meet its customers’ needs for speed, agility and quality, prepare for future challenges and continue its commitment to sustainability.

Rome-based etic.a Labels is a young and dynamic company founded in 2009 by entrepreneurs Patrizia Windfang and Gianni Olivieri. The husband and wife wanted to pursue their dream of building a business by creating an independent production entity which placed the customer at its center. Fifteen years later, the family-owned company has grown significantly and now employs some 50 people with an average age of just 35.

etic.a has the expertise and technologies needed to print all types of self-adhesive labels for its client base, which includes some of the most important brand owners nationally and internationally.

Technology investments remain a key strategy for growth and success. This led the team to the Bobst Digital Master 340, an all-in-one printing machine based on a modular and scalable architecture.

Debora Tagliapietra, sales director at etic.a, said: ‘In our market, production batch sizes are reducing due to the increase in SKUs. This trend is evident even in medium-large companies – our key clients. Since one of our most appreciated characteristics is fast delivery times, to strengthen this advantage, we decided to add an all-in-one Bobst machine alongside our standalone digital one. This allows us to eliminate the second pass, making us more competitive.’

Windfang added: ‘The purchase of an all-in-one Bobst machine represents a new milestone in a journey full of ambition and challenges. For an industrial entity like etic.a that wants to maintain the spirit of a family company while adopting a managerial approach, this is a significant step.’

The new machine has been operational for several months. Combining the capabilities of flexo and recent inkjet developments, this all-in-one technology offers a fully digitalized production process, from printing and finishing to die-cutting in a single pass.

Vito Di Martino, operational director at etic.a, commented: ‘When we decided to purchase a hybrid printing machine, we already had an inkjet printer, but we were looking for a system that could handle all labels, finished and embellished, in one step.

‘After conducting market research, we chose Bobst for the technological value and the quality and size of the digital system. The integration of traditional technologies with digital from a single manufacturer is, from our point of view, an added benefit because we only need one point of contact for installation and long-term maintenance.’

The results in terms of efficiency and productivity of this fully digitalized and automated production line have met expectations, and the company is very satisfied with the choice.

Leonardo Pasquini, the operator who works daily on the machine, added: ‘When the Bobst Digital Master 340 was installed, we immediately realized its great potential. This impression was confirmed after a brief adaptation period. After the first tests, we were certain we had made an excellent purchase. The high quality, ease of setting up even the most complex jobs, and printing speed are the benefits that have impressed us the most.’

‘Every certification achieved, and every new investment is the result of our team's constant commitment to grow and innovate without ever forgetting our founding values: product quality and production sustainability,’ commented Windfang. ‘The new Bobst machine is not only an expression of technology, but it is also a symbol of our desire to evolve while always staying true to our mission: to create value in a sustainable way.’

Marco Carpi, area sales manager at Bobst, added: ‘We’re incredibly excited to work with this trailblazing company and look forward to many years of collaboration. By adding Bobst all-in-one technology to their operation, etic.a has not only optimized their workflow, they have future-proofed their business. This fully modular and upgradable label press perfectly supports their sustainability goals and adds significant value for their customers.’