Durst opens new headquarters and customer experience center

Described by the digital printing specialist as a ‘watershed in its transformation into a highly integrated process service provider’, the design of the new building was first presented more than 50 years ago but never realized. Architects Monovolume pursued the original concept and designed a flat, floating ‘wing’ with a six-storey tower. The powder-coated metal façade has 850 multi-colored, luminous window elevations arranged in pixel-like fashion. The pixelated facade of Durst’s new headquarters is also a pointer to the company’s areas of business, as Durst is recognized as a global leader in high-performance printing systems – from image data processing and printing to final product finishing. A new administrative block is connected directly with production facilities.

In the future, Durst will invite more of its international customers to the customer experience center in the 5,700 sqm headquarters that embodies the transformation into a highly specialized, high-tech business.

Durst Group CEO and co-owner Christoph Gamper commented: ‘This is a very proud day in the long history of Durst. We do not fear the future. We are here to shape the future. We have the best employees, the best customers and the best technology. Driven by the mantra of innovation, Durst offers complete solutions from pixel to output. Here at our headquarters in the south Tyrol is where things come full circle with the mountain habitat and the aim of focusing not just on the machines but also on the people behind them.’

He added: ‘Here it is not a question of appearance but of essence, of conveying the idea to the outside world, of creating a protected space for innovation, of bringing together very special people who have devoted themselves to a vision: to create something new, to inspire, and to always ask the next question.’

Customers, employees and business partners were among 1,000 guests who attended an inauguration ceremony in early April for the state-of-the-art building. Speakers included Gamper, owner Harald Oberrauch, owner Christof Oberrauch, Mayor of Brixen Peter Brunner, Dean of Brixen Albert Pixner, Regional Council of South Tyrol representative Philipp Achammer, and Patrik Pedó and Juri Pobitzer from architects Monovolume.

Durst’s history dates back more than 80 years is closely associated with the Oberrauch family, which is now in the third generation of ownership. The management board recently underwent a management change with Christof Oberrauch handing over the reins to his son, Harald Oberrauch. At the same time, Christoph Gamper was appointed CEO, and has now been given stronger ties to the long-established business through joint ownership.