Editorial

Welcome to the 21st and final issue of Gallus In Touch in 2009. In this issue, we review Labelexpo 2009 and the launch of the Gallus ECS 340 at this event. We also explain some of the reasons for our decision to use granite for our label presses. In addition, you will find a further article in our series about offset printing and an overview of what we consider to be the latest market trends.

Why granite? Is it just a marketing ploy? These questions came from a blogger reviewing a visit to Labelexpo 2009. I found it remarkable that trade journals are now not the only ones reviewing trade fairs, but that interested participants from the industry are now also joining in. 

So why do we use granite in the Gallus ECS 340? We were motivated by extensive best-practice studies in other industries. For example, granite has long been used with considerable success in high-precision measuring systems and CNC production equipment due to its robustness, accuracy, thermal stability, etc.

Granite has numerous advantages that make it ideal for mechanical engineering applications. Its robustness and stability open up new design options for label presses. Thanks to granite’s high load-bearing capacity, it is possible to “suspend” printing units from the granite block, resulting in easy operation and access. A new, very short web travel could also be selected, which has a direct, very positive impact on waste levels. Granite’s robustness results in low vibration levels, which also enables very precise and stable web travel through the machine.

In terms of sustainability, granite has the added advantage of being a natural product. This means there is no manufacturing operation consuming energy and generating CO2. What’s more, using the granite block as the actual framework of the press means far fewer components are required, which has a further positive impact on its CO2 footprint. Last but not least, granite is easy to reuse when the press reaches the end of its service life because it does not age and can therefore be recycled for the same purpose or other applications.

One interesting point to note is that, despite its solid granite design, the Gallus ECS 340 is no heavier than a machine with a traditional design. This is because the specific weight of granite is the same as that of aluminium.
The Gallus ECS 340 has met with a very positive response and we are delighted at the surprisingly high sales. 20 machines have already been sold around the world – from Europe to the Americas and Asia.

In addition to the Gallus ECS 340, we showcased a large number of other innovations at Labelexpo 2009, including the photospectrometric inline colorimeter on the Gallus RCS 330. Using this system opens up great potential for cutting waste because colour quality control is continuous and the machine no longer has to be stopped for measurements and subsequent adjustments. We also used the trade fair to exhibit Gallus workflow solutions and the digital Gallus Screeny screen printing plate. This makes film exposure superfluous, and the screen-printing fabric can be exposed directly in a standard CtP exposure device. Read more about Gallus at Labelexpo in the report entitled “Successful Labelexpo Europe 2009 in Brussels”.

Labelexpo was an excellent platform for finding out about the latest trends in our industry. In this issue, we highlight what we see as discernible trends, in particular in the FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) sector. The lion’s share of this sector (70%) is accounted for by the two largest segments – food and beverages – followed by healthcare, cosmetics and household items. The demands placed on labels and thus on production resources are very different in the various segments. For further details, see the report entitled “Product decoration through changing times”.

The question of whether to use offset or flexographic printing remains a tricky one, and the answer depends on the specific customer and job. Both printing processes have their advantages and disadvantages and will continue to enjoy widespread use in the short term. The RAKO GROUP, based in the German town of Witzhave, has opted for the Gallus RCS Offset for its site in Ellerau. The new Gallus RCS 430 is the ideal complement to the RAKO GROUP’s Gallus RCS flexographic machines that are already in very successful use in a combination solution at its sites in Germany and China. For details, see our interview with the Ellerau site management in the report entitled “RAKO also uses the Gallus RCS for offset printing”.

In this issue, we also continue our series of technical tips for offset printing with “Practical experience in label printing: Ink spitting”, introduce the new Gallus Screeny S-Line products in the article entitled “Screeny S-Line proves itself and expands” and, as part of our “We are Gallus” feature, include an interview with Mr. Michels, the Managing Director of Gallus Druckmaschinen GmbH in Germany.

With 2010 just around the corner, I would like to express my sincere thanks for the trust you have shown in Gallus, our products and our services. I would also like to wish you and your families a relaxing Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Gallus In Touch.

With best wishes,

Felix Egger

Vice-President Sales & Marketing