Labelexpo Europe 2017 – Gallus in Pole Position

„Speed up your Success“ was the motto of Gallus, member of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg), at this year’s Labelexpo Europe in Brussels. This motto was reflected in all business areas of the Swiss press manufacturer’s stand as the company demonstrated its comprehensive portfolio for label printing. From conventional label printing presses to the latest digital printing technologies to screen printing and new services, created by a joint initiative between Gallus and Heidelberg, there was plenty of innovation to turn heads. No surprise the Gallus booth in hall 5 was abuzz with crowds throughout the duration of the fair.

Visitors were shown the efficiency and innovation of Gallus on a booth of more than 1200 square meters, where live demonstrations were held hourly. The new Gallus Labelmaster was especially impressive thanks to its high speed, easy handling and maximum flexibility. On top of that, the Advanced model of the Gallus Labelmaster was introduced with additional multiweb features. During live demonstrations at the Gallus booth, jobs were produced on several webs simultaneously and then joined to form a three sided peel-off label.

In the presentation of the basic model of the Gallus Labelmaster, it was shown that printing speeds in rotary screen printing processes are no longer a limiting factor for high output in conventional combination printing. Equipped with a screen printing unit which was especially developed for the Gallus Labelmaster and other Gallus Screeny speed enhancing components, printing speeds of over 100 m/min were presented and without compromise to the high printing quality.

Another Gallus highlight that impressed was the additional printing and finishing functionality offered using the modular approach on the digital printing press, the Gallus Labelfire. A new screen printing unit is now available to be integrated into upstream or downstream printing. This makes it possible to print highly opaque screen printing white on transparent foil, which guarantees the highest results in continuous digital printing. In addition, Gallus presented the prototype of a digital embellishment unit (DEU), which can also be integrated into the machine as an additional finishing module. With this digital embellishment unit, gloss and matte spot varnish as well as haptic relief effects can be produced using a UV inkjet process. The DEU is being made available for the Gallus Labelfire, Gallus ECS 340 and Gallus Labelmaster.

Gallus Services are also looking towards a digital future. Gallus and Heidelberg are working on a number of joint projects to enhance digitization that will provide customers with real added value. The Gallus mCall, for example, supports customers with an automated ticket creation; the press transfers all necessary data to the Helpdesk autonomously, which reduces the need to make phone calls or send emails to register an issue. This results in a quicker response from the service organization.

Christof Naier, General Manager of the label printing business, concludes: „All in all, this Labelexpo was one the most successful Gallus has ever participated in. We closed more deals than at any fair ever before. But also the positive feedback our customers gave us to the large number of innovations we presented, concerning not only our products but also our new services, proves that Gallus is on the right track. With these new products and services, we are armed and well prepared for a digital future.”