Left to right: Jade Grace, Managing Director, Labelexpo Global Series; Ferdinand Rüesch IV, Senior Vice President, Global Key Accounts, Anchor Investor for HEIDELBERG Gallus; Andy Thomas-Emans, Strategic Director, Labelexpo Global Series

Kennesaw, Ga. — Heidelberg North America (HEIDELBERG) and subsidiary Gallus Group were delighted to make their return to Labelexpo Americas, held September 10-12, 2024, in Chicago. Reconnecting with industry peers, customers, and future clients, HEIDELBERG and Gallus celebrated the debut and installation of their latest technologies and a major industry award for Gallus legend Ferdinand Rüesch IV.

New Gallus One “System to Compose” featuring MatteJet Technology

At the premier event for the label and package printing industry in the Americas, HEIDELBERG and Gallus showcased their most groundbreaking products: the recently launched “System to Compose” featuring the latest version of the Gallus One and the brand-new MatteJet technology, which delivers fast, cost-effective, and premium matte finishing capabilities for digital inkjet printing.

Until now, the glossy finish inherent to digital inkjet printing has limited its widespread adoption across labels and packaging – especially in premium segments like wine and spirits. With MatteJet technology, converters, for the first time, 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, 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 the 18th annual Labelexpo Americas. The newest Gallus One, shown as part of its System to Compose, features an expanded web width of 17 inches 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, offering unmatched compatibility across its product lines. After its highly successful debut at drupa 2024, System to Compose has been enhanced to include modular service options and offers seamless integration to existing workflow solutions enabled through HEIDELBERG Prinect. Prinect, a central component of System to Compose, is essential for digitizing production and achieving the smart, connected printshop of the future.

During the show, HEIDELBERG announced that it will install its newest Gallus One system at NextGen Label Group, who serves some of the world’s most recognizable brands in the spirits, beverage, beer, food, health and beauty markets. The 17-inch wide, 15-color hybrid press is the first of its kind in North America. In addition to printing a variety of labels using flexographic and digital print technologies, NextGen’s Gallus One will have capabilities for cold foil, spot varnish, tactile laminations and more. Its modular design ensures flexibility to grow alongside the company’s expanding business, making it a truly future-proof solution.

“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.”

“Record Breaking” Solutions for Label Converters

In addition to narrow web solutions from Gallus, HEIDELBERG offers a full portfolio of solutions 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 modifications like special sheet travel adjustments in the units and delivery and the new fourth generation CutStar, all 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 converters,” said Clarence Penge, EVP, Sales, Product Management, and Marketing for HEIDELBERG USA.

Industry Recognition for Ferdinand Rüesch IV

Rounding out an exciting 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, 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.”