Heidelberg and Gallus celebrate successful Labelexpo Americas

Heidelberg North America and its subsidiary Gallus Group have returned to this year’s edition of Labelexpo Americas in Chicago to reconnect with industry peers, customers and future clients. The companies celebrated the debut and installation of their latest technologies and a major industry award for Gallus legend Ferdinand Rüesch IV.

Heidelberg and Gallus showcased the recently launched System to Compose featuring the latest version of the Gallus One and the new MatteJet technology, which delivers premium matte finishing capabilities for digital inkjet printing.

With MatteJet technology, converters can achieve a high-end matte finish with digital inkjet printing without changing inks or adding overprint varnish. This eliminates the need for external finishing processes or separate conventional machines.

The new MatteJet technology also enables more converters and brands to benefit from digital printing capabilities, including cost-effective short runs, personalization and on-demand production.

‘By unlocking matte finishing for digital inkjet, we’ll make an entirely new market segment accessible to converters without needing to make sizeable investments into separate solutions,’ said Dario Urbinati, CEO of Gallus Group. ‘This technology will boost profitability and exemplifies our commitment to building a new era of flexibility that will enable our industry to thrive long-term.’

The latest iteration of the Gallus One press also made its global tradeshow debut at Labelexpo Americas, shown as part of its System to Compose, featuring an expanded web width of 17in and extended color gamut, featuring Orange and Violet Saphira Inks.

Gallus’s System to Compose concept allows converters to add, adjust and remove units from their Gallus One system as business needs change. After its debut at drupa 2024, System to Compose has been enhanced to include modular service options and offers integration to existing workflows enabled through Heidelberg Prinect.

During the show, Heidelberg announced the installation its newest Gallus One system at NextGen Label Group. The 17-inch wide, 15-color hybrid press is the first of its kind in North America.

‘The Heidelberg Gallus One met all the criteria we consider when investing in new technology,’ said Tom Sargent, president and CEO of NextGen Label Group. ‘Built on the Gallus Labelmaster platform, this state-of-the-art hybrid press provides reliability, redundancy, and full modularity and will allow us to continually deliver on our promise of Brand Custodianship.’

Gallus and Heidelberg also promoted a full portfolio tailored to meet the demands of high-performance label printers from its high-speed Speedmaster presses to Polar Label cutting systems.

Recently, Moquin Press, one of the West Coast’s leading label and packaging providers, set a new world record producing 452,755 net sellable sheets on its Peak Performance Speedmaster XL 106 in only 24 hours. Moquin’s press is the first from Heidelberg specially designed for label production – featuring speeds of up to 21,000 sheets per hour and several modifications, including special sheet travel adjustments in the units and delivery and the new fourth generation CutStar optimized for high-speed production of thin materials.

‘Together, Heidelberg and Gallus continue to demonstrate their positions as leaders in delivering truly comprehensive end-to-end solutions for label converter’ said Clarence Penge, executive vice president of sales, product management and marketing for Heidelberg USA.

Rounding out the show, the Label Industry Global Awards presented Ferdinand Rüesch IV, member of the founding family of Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG, with its R. Stanton Avery Special Recognition Award, sponsored by Avery Dennison.

Affectionately known as ‘Ferdi’ throughout the industry, Rüesch took over the Gallus Group business from his father in the 1990s, accelerating Gallus’ growth globally. He has served the industry for over 45 years, most recently as senior vice president of global key accounts, anchor investor for Heidelberg Gallus. This award is presented to individuals who have led the industry with dedication and passion and reflect the key values and vision of Stan Avery and his innovative breakthroughs that founded the label industry.

‘I am thrilled, touched, and deeply honored,’ said Rüesch. ‘Receiving this award is especially meaningful because my father was the second recipient (of the then Man of Achievement Award) after Stanton Avery, making it even more special.’