Labelexpo Europe 2023 – show floor sales

Following a four‐year gap, Mark Andy reported a highly successful Labelexpo Europe. The company showed three presses during live demos, including a global premiere – new flexo Pro Series as well as two hybrids: inkjet‐based Digital Series HD (equipped with Kurz Distorun cold foiling unit and Lemu turret rewinder) and toner‐based Digital Pro MAX. Mark Andy also noticed a huge interest in the company’s software: sMArt link on‐press monitoring system and ProWORX Label Suite imposition tool.

Speaking for the company, executive VP in charge of international sales Tom Cavalco stated: ‘The high international attendance at Labelexpo Europe confirmed a growing narrow web label market, full of opportunity. Outside of the large attendance expected from Europe, we were thrilled to welcome guests from Latin America, India, Far East and Australasia. The quality of conversations was excellent too, keeping both our staff and our team of global distributors busy throughout the show and resulting in multiple orders from across the globe.’

The company welcomed over 800 visitors in four days from 84 countries around the world, which – as the company states – was an excellent result and a great indication of the value of Labelexpo to the label printing and packaging industry. In total, it signed 10 new press sales during the show, including a new Pro Series model. Two of these sales were signed through the company’s India distributor, Flexo Image Graphic (FIG).

FIG secured a deal with Webtech Industries to install two Mark Andy Pro Series narrow‐web flexo printing presses.

Not only that, it also sold a Mark Andy performance series P7E narrow web flexo printing press to Bangladesh’s Kashpia Printing & Packaging, along with multiple other Mark Andy narrow web flexo printing press deals. Kashpia is FIG’s existing customer and has been using Mark Andy P7 and Rotoflex HSI slitter rewinder along with KDS efficiency management system, installed by FIG.

Gourav Roy, managing director, FIG, says: ‘Labelexpo Europe this year is really a fantastic edition for us. Mark Andy globally launched the highly advanced Pro Series during the expo, and we have bagged multiple deals of the press.’

Domino made sure that Labelexpo gave it optimum opportunities to showcase its N730i UV inkjet label press and the K600i variable data printer along with the new K300 high‐resolution inkjet printer capable of speeds up to 250m/min.

The four‐day event also resulted in three direct sales on the show floor. Domino’s Italian distributor, NTG Digital, was responsible for securing two of these orders, both for versions of Domino’s N610i 600dpi label press, with an additional order from a UK business.

Eclipse Labels, an existing Domino customer with facilities located in Swindon in the UK, purchased an N730i, Domino’s 1200dpi digital label press built upon its latest Generation 7 inkjet technology platform.

Commenting on the purchase, Thierry Turel, commercial business manager Benelux, Domino, says: ‘We’re delighted to continue our long‐lasting partnership with Eclipse Labels by announcing the sale of our Domino N730i press at Labelexpo. This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing cutting‐edge printing solutions to Eclipse Labels, a valued partner. Their investment in our advanced technology is a testament to their dedication to growth and excellence. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership and supporting their continued success.’

Durst, too, had a competitive run at the show as it sold its Tau RSCi single‐pass label press to UK trade printer, Reel Appeal. A key reason for the investment was RSCi’s ability to print at 1200dpi, which would open new markets for Reel Appeal – traditionally a major player in agro‐chemical labels – such as hair and beauty.

Reel Appeal’s managing director Barry Lewis comments: ‘Digital technology has revolutionized the label industry and we have been no exception. Without the costly set‐up and origination costs, digital printing allows multiple sorts to be easily printed on the same print run however short. The RSCi investment is another huge step forward for our business.’

Simon Cosh, Durst’s UK and Ireland business development manager, says: ‘We are delighted to announce this sale at Labelexpo. Reel Appeal will benefit not only from the uplift in quality from the 1200dpi functionality but also lower ink usage as well as a big increase in capacity that will enable the company to complete longer run work.’

Xeikon also sizzled at Labelexpo, with its introduction of a new high‐productivity and highly automated dry toner press aimed specifically at volume label printing with the highest quality. The Xeikon LX3000 model, affectionately known as The Lion, was presented to the public for the first time at Labelexpo Europe 2023.

And that was not only reason. Xeikon signed some amazing deals with companies such as Femalabel, Sticker Gizmo, Reslan Etiket, LP2i, and Vistaprint.

Femalabel, which has established itself as a trusted partner in the labeling industry, invested in a Xeikon LX3000. With this investment, it aims for a significant production increase. The brand‐new integrated Cruise Control functionality will bring a big win to Femalabel in terms of OEE (Operational Equipment Efficiency).

Sticker Gizmo purchased its second Xeikon press—a Xeikon CX300. The Xeikon CX300 is a high‐end label press that serves more than 90 percent of all end‐use applications (substrates, white capability) within the self‐adhesive label market.

Jamie Tillen, operations director at Sticker Gizmo commented: ‘The new CX300 really impressed us and is a massive step forward in performance and quality and will allow us to continue along our exciting growth journey underpinned by providing our customers with amazing quality labels. Sustainability was a big factor in this decision. The new eco toners Xeikon has developed for the CX300 are the perfect partner for our popular range of sustainable materials. This ensures we have a market‐leading proposition for customers who are looking for a more environmentally friendly label, but still at a competitive price.’

Turkish labels and packaging printer, Reslan Etiket, also invested in a Xeikon CX300.

French label converter, LP2i Étiquettes acquired two digital label presses from Xeikon—Xeikon PX3300 UV inkjet press and Xeikon TX500, featuring the Titon technology that is designed for paper‐based flexible packaging applications.

LP2i Etiquettes’ decision to embrace these advancements underscores its commitment to sustainability and eco‐conscious packaging. Adopting paper‐based flexible packaging materials over traditional plastic alternatives aligns perfectly with the evolving industry trends and environmental considerations.

And last but not the least for Xeikon was its deal with Netherlands‐based Vistaprint. Vistaprint is taking its printing game to the next level with an investment in the Xeikon PX2200 UV inkjet digital printing press.

For Gallus, the center of the show was its latest addition, the Gallus One.

‘Labelexpo is a great platform for the industry to connect and collaborate, and for us, it was a hugely successful show. Together with Heidelberg, we had the opportunity to share some exciting news, showcase our latest innovations across our entire portfolio and debut the Gallus One at its first European tradeshow.

The show also allowed us to present our vision behind ‘smart, connected printing’ and the necessity of a digital transformation – both of which was very well received, and sparked genuine excitement from key industry stakeholders,’ commented a company spokesperson.

Labelexpo formed the backdrop for many Gallus deals across its entire portfolio, including the Gallus One, resulting in double digit sales.

Bobst also unveiled significant new product innovations to simplify label production, while disclosing fresh strategic alliances and supplier partnerships. The company disclosed a strategic partnership with Asteria Group, reinforcing the mutual commitment to innovation. The extended collaboration involves Asteria’s investment in multiple Digital Master All‐in‐One production platforms throughout Europe, enabling groundbreaking label solutions and mutual growth.

An increased interest in HP Indigo’s digital label production portfolio – some machines making their European debut – made it clear that an increasing number of industry professionals were looking to capitalize on the growing advantages of digital printing. Throughout the show, quite a few letters of intent for the HP Indigo V12 digital press were signed, however, HP could not share sales information at this time.

Basking in the success of Labelexpo Europe 2023, VS Labels, part of the VinilSul Group in Brazil acquired KolorSmart+ and dSpark digital presses from Jetsci Global. The KolorSmart+ UV inkjet label production press is renowned for its versatility, catering to both short and long label printing runs with efficiency and speed.

On the other hand, the dSpark digital label varnish and cold foiling press stands out with its label embellishment capabilities, elevating label designs to new heights.

With a focus on complete production workflows in packaging and label sectors, Konica Minolta presented innovative end‐to‐end ecosystems at Labelexpo Europe 2023. The company marked hundreds of leads and recorded seven press sales on the show floor.

Sacha‐Vittorio Paolucci, head of industrial print business development at Konica Minolta Europe, shares: ‘With more than 570 leads captured over the four days and seven show sales announced on our stand, we were delighted to have met so many visitors to help them see the potential in digital label and packaging production and to receive so much great feedback on our unique stand in terms of design and construction.’ Together with MGI Digital Technology (MGI) and other partners, Konica presented its end‐to‐end ecosystems to demonstrate to its customers and other showgoers how they were rethinking possibilities.

Lombardi returned to Labelexpo to showcase the latest versions of its Synchroline and Invicta presses. It clinched deals with Prakash printers and coaters, MGN and Eticpress. Together with Vinsak, it sold its Invicta i2 press, of 870mm width at Labelexpo. It’s the first press of this width that’s sold in Asia and will be installed at the customer site by the end of the year. The press goes up to a speed of 300m/min.

Lombardi also sold Invicta i1, 670 mm wide Invicta i1 press to MGN. Its Synchroline 430 press, which includes a rotary screen and could print up to 11 color printing for special labels, was sold to Eticpress.

Nilpeter enjoyed a brisk business with India‐based Savvinova Pack & Labels. The converter invested in its first Nilpeter press – an FB‐350 for its Dubai facility. The FB‐350 was an ideal choice for Savvinova, the company says, because it specializes in printing pressure‐sensitive labels for the FMCG and food and beverage industry. The Nilpeter FB‐350 is a high‐performance flexographic press, with a speed of 228m/ min that can handle webs up to 350mm wide. The FB‐350 has a maximum unwind diameter of 1016 mm and a maximum weight of 226 kg.

Nilpeter’s journey didn’t end there. It also made a deal with Natalii, which invested in a Nilpeter FA‐26 flexo press. Although Natalii is a long‐standing partner of Nilpeter, this deal marks the first in Poland.

‘This investment is not just about adding another Nilpeter to our lineup. It’s about embracing innovation and ensuring we stay at the forefront of the industry. Being the first in Poland to have the FA‐26 is a testament to our commitment to excellence,’ says Artur Nowaczyk, the owner of Natalii.

FINISHING EQUIPMENT

AB Graphic International (ABG) unveiled its most significant exhibition to date at Labelexpo Europe 2023. Dominating the floor, ABG showcased 17 machines, placing an emphatic focus on the future of automation.

Labelexpo proved to be not just a showcase but also a marketplace, with ABG technology being sold across the globe. Deals were completed with partners in South Africa, France, Dubai, Australia and many other regions, underscoring ABG’s international footprint.

Its flagship DigiLase 4.0 was an instant hit with trade print service provider, CMYKhub. The new ABG technology integrated DigiJet 330 digital embellishment with DigiLase 4.0 digital laser cutting, offering a singular solution for diverse embellishments and finishes.

‘Labelexpo was an outstanding success for ABG this year,’ says CEO, Richard Knight. ‘We showcased a variety of brand‐new innovations, illustrating to our customers how keen we are to offer cutting‐edge solutions and continue to push forward as a market leader.’

Hotpack Global, a player in the food packaging industry since 1995, has acquired an Omega SRI3 430 with monochrome inkjet from ABG. This is its second purchase of ABG equipment, having invested in an SRI in 2022.

The SRI3 430’s advanced features, including a die‐cut unit and 4k camera inspection, enhance Hotpack’s efficiency benchmarks. The acquisition was spearheaded by Anvar PB, technical director and Mr. Ramesh, production manager.

Brotech, too, sold its two finishing systems by the company’s India distributor Weldon Celloplast at Labelexpo Europe.

India‐based Asean Pack invested in a Brotech CDF 420. The machine is specified with a flexo print unit with both UV and hot air drying and cold foil. It is configured with full rotary and semi‐rotary die cutting and vacuum suction conveyor and anti‐static bar.

The other Brotech machine, a Brotech DL‐420, was sold to Chromaprint in India. The machine is configured to run IML, wet glue labels and unsupported film labels.

Labelexpo Europe 2023 was hugely successful for Daco Solutions as well where it garnered positive reception for its new SRV350 inspection slitter rewinder that was launched during the show. The UK manufacturer also signed a deal on the show floor for the sale of a customized sheeting system to Wisconsin, US‐based converter Kenco Label & Tag.

‘There was a very positive response to the new SRV350 inspection slitter rewinder – which is the highest‐specification system in our slitter rewinder range. We received many inquiries and a few companies have said that they will order a machine in the coming weeks,’ says managing director David Beynon. ‘The new fully automatic slitting feature drew particular interest from many visitors to our stand. One customer in Poland is upgrading its three Daco PLR350V turret rewinders to include fully automatic slitting.’

Grafotronic demonstrated five machines equipped with AI‐based computer vision system Grafotronic IQ. The company capitalized on its technological edge and signed quite a few deals including the ones with St Luc, Femalabel and Notarianni.

St‐Luc purchased two of Grafotronic’s DCL 550 machines. Additionally, after visiting the Grafotronic booth at Labelexpo Europe, St. Luc has decided to further invest in one of the machines on display at the event – the CF finishing line, featuring the Grafotronic IQ automation suite. Grafotronic IQ works with a set of cameras that monitor the web and automatically adjust what’s needed.

Belgium‐based label converter Femalabel, signed a purchase order for a fully modular Grafotronic digital finishing machine, after its owner Wim Feys, was impressed by the performance of Grafotronic’s multi‐layer label technology which was operational on the show floor. The company decided to invest in a DCL2 350 with sophisticated lamination in register capabilities.

On the other hand, Notarianni invested in a Grafotronic haptic finishing line machine. Alfredo Pollici, owner of Notarianni, says: ‘Grafotronic is a young and dynamic company, and it really stands out for us thanks to its flexibility and speed in designing a machine that perfectly fits our needs. We want a compact solution that includes all finishing technologies without sacrificing performance. For us, it is crucial that the machine operates with the latest generation digital finishing features, without compromising on performance. All these factors mean that Grafotronic will be the right company to support us in realizing this new, ambitious project.’

St‐Luc managing director Niko Dhondt says: ‘With more and more digital stand‐alone printing machines, we needed to expand our capacity in off‐line finishing. Digital labels and flexibles are a fast‐growing market. Grafotronic offers new technologies and visions for increasing speed and efficiency in the finishing process of digital printed labels. Together with my team, we decided to invest in new technologies. The IQ reduces start‐up time dramatically. So, we hope the new collaborations with Grafotronic will be a big success.’

In the same vein, Grafisk Maskinfabrik sold its automated digital embellishment line, DC350Flex+, to Danish advertising agency Buchs. DC350Flex+ wine features the DVM350 digital varnish module, which uses the latest inkjet technology for digital embellishment. This is a faster, more flexible, and cost‐effective alternative to screen‐printing for adding spot varnish, high‐build tactile effects, including warning triangles and braille, as well as metallics and holograms, all in one process.

‘The unique combination of both analog and digital finishing technology makes the DC350Flex+ wine truly unique. Digital varnish and digital foil will shape the future of a highly competitive market in short‐to‐medium run digital label printing,’ states Uffe Nielsen, CEO of Grafisk Maskinfabrik. ‘The DC350Flex+ gives the option to add these capabilities with the fantastic DVM350 digital varnish module, providing tool‐free operation, flexibility in design, faster job changes, and lower costs.’

The interest in Leonhard Kurz’s 2D and 3D digital embellishment technologies this year at Labelexpo made it very clear that an increasing number of label converters worldwide are looking for such technologies. Modular installations of these technologies were also on display at the booths of Kurz partners Grafotronic and Xeikon.

Kurz didn’t disclose specific customer and company names, however, Michael Aumann, director digital embellishment at Kurz confirmed: ‘We are confident that our efforts to finalize projects that were initiated at Labelexpo will be completed before year‐end for both our 2D and 3D technologies.’

Additionally, MPRINT, a subsidiary of the Kurz Group and leading solution provider for inkjet digital printing, was also very satisfied with the outcome of this edition of Labelexpo.

Marcus Stickel, CEO of MPRINT and director global digital printing at Kurz, also confirmed: ‘The letters of intent that were agreed upon at the show will be finalized within the next few days.’

ANCILLARY TECHNOLOGY

Labelexpo also proved a good platform for Fujifilm which sold a C‐Touch MK2 2530 plate processor and PRC‐1 water filtration unit to Aztec Label. Owner, Colin Le Gresley, said: ‘‘The design of the processor provides efficient plate handling and makes the whole platemaking process quicker than ever before.’

Additionally, the PRC‐1 filtration unit works in unison on both processors. The unit works to extend the bath life of the processors and reduces the amount of water required. The system results in a cleaner processor, extending the time between cleaning, allowing maintenance costs to be reduced, and improving environmental performance. Aztec is a long‐time Fujifilm customer. It acquired its first C‐Touch processor from Fujifilm in early 2021, along with Fujifilm’s Flenex water‐washable flexo plates; Sericol JJ LED UV inks and an LED UV curing system.

UV curing systems manufacturer GEW, who was also exhibiting at Labelexpo Europe 2023, had a good run. The company presented its full product range at the show, with a focus on its air‐cooled UV LED system AeroLED, which was of particular interest to many visitors and contributed to GEW’s stand being a hub of activity. The company also reported that many of its UV curing systems were operating at the show, with GEW lampheads running on most of the leading manufacturers’ presses.

Hybrid Software wrapped up the show with sales of more than EUR 1.5 million from 30 customers for packaging workflow and editing software at Labelexpo Europe 2023. With new product launches and demos, its booth was among the showstoppers. It also successfully launched the Global Graphics’ SmartDFE, among the fastest available Digital Front End (DFE) for digital printing of labels and packaging.

‘This was my 16th appearance at Labelexpo in Brussels, one of the most important events for our industry,’ stated Guido Van der Schueren, chairman of Hybrid Software. ‘Although I look forward to the next incarnation of Labelexpo Europe in Barcelona, I will always remember the Brussels exhibitions fondly and am very pleased that the final Brussels show was such a big success for Hybrid Software.’