10.04.2024
An article by Dario Urbinati, CEO, Gallus Group
The past year has been marked by a series of complex geopolitical events and circumstances that continue to unsettle the market and cast doubt on companies' growth forecasts. It is therefore unfortunately no surprise that many print shops are now facing an uncertain future. As profitability is directly linked to print performance, it is only logical that in such difficult times companies often turn to evaluating their print solutions and looking for ways to increase productivity and efficiency in order to ultimately improve their bottom line. Given the current situation, many companies across the market are struggling with a lack of resources to invest in new machinery and are therefore increasingly cautious when it comes to major purchases.
For many companies, retrofitting could be a crucial lifeline to boost performance and increase profitability—without having to incur the considerable costs of a completely new printing system.While the term "retrofit" used to conjure up images of a few spare parts in a dusty warehouse, we now see new opportunities for upgrading existing machine systems and, not least, a real change in the way this concept is perceived within the industry. Retrofits – which can include adding or changing additional units to expand capacity, modernizing machines, or simply replacing outdated parts or software – enable companies to improve the performance of their printing presses and often transform them into highly efficient, highly industrialized, and modern machines that can meet the most advanced requirements of modern printing.
The key thing is that retrofits boost the profitability of print shops and increase their return on investment—while also letting them keep up with customer demand and market trends by adding or removing units as needed. In the current economic climate, where interest rates are higher, profit margins are lower, and raising capital for new press purchases is difficult or impossible, retrofitting an existing press at a much lower investment rate is an excellent option.
As if that weren't enough, installing a digital printing unit in a printing press opens the door to smart, connected printing. This is now widely seen as essential to overcoming some of the industry's biggest and most serious challenges, including labor shortages, urbanization, spare parts supply bottlenecks, and rising costs. Furthermore, and specifically for Gallus, the range of retrofits expands the business offering and enables existing Gallus solutions to continue delivering high added value for decades to come. In addition, retrofitting technologies also allows us to better support our sustainability program by upgrading printing presses instead of scrapping or recycling them.
Classic machines, new thinking
In the printing industry, the most common technologies that customers are retrofitting are conventional printing presses—with elements such as a flexographic printing station or additional devices such as screen printing or cold foil. Customers are also increasingly looking to use digital solutions, such as full-fledged digital printing systems.
We offer this option with the Gallus ECS 340, a conventional press that can be upgraded with a Gallus digital printing unit to become a fully-fledged hybrid solution.
When it comes to a customer's specific needs, the first step is to determine what kind of configuration they have and what their ultimate goals are. In all cases, printing presses are retrofitted to solve specific challenges or take advantage of growth opportunities. However, there are also cases where we see other technologies being added. When we retrofit machines, for example, we often add state-of-the-art electronic components such as bus infrastructure, HMI, or main drive systems—we offer this for the Gallus TCS 250 or the Gallus EM 260/340/410/510 series. The upgrade ensures the availability of electronic spare parts that are currently difficult to obtain, extends the service life of the machines, and makes them future-proof for the coming years.
The art of successful retrofitting
Can every manufacturer offer retrofits and carry them out successfully? This requires the necessary internal expertise in mechanics, electronics, software, applications, and printing inks, to name just a few. Of course, it is also important that the necessary parts are available to offer these retrofit technologies—especially for seamless upgrades with minimal disruption to the customer. And after construction and installation, a strong global network to support customers on site is essential, no matter where they are located. Our Gallus Classics business unit, which was established during the recent pandemic and is now a key pillar of the company, is proof that retrofits, when done right, can breathe new life into businesses around the world and open up new opportunities.
In summary, retrofitting conventional systems with state-of-the-art technology not only extends the service life and value of a printing press by many years, but also helps to overcome some of the biggest challenges facing converters today and enables them to remain competitive and profitable. The ability to add digital solutions allows customers to benefit from an intelligent, connected printing ecosystem and future-proof their business. For me, this is a key factor in the success of the label and packaging market today and tomorrow.
10.04.2024
An article by Dario Urbinati, CEO, Gallus Group
The past year has been marked by a series of complex geopolitical events and circumstances that continue to unsettle the market and cast doubt on companies' growth forecasts. It is therefore unfortunately no surprise that many print shops are now facing an uncertain future. As profitability is directly linked to print performance, it is only logical that in such difficult times companies often turn to evaluating their print solutions and looking for ways to increase productivity and efficiency in order to ultimately improve their bottom line. Given the current situation, many companies across the market are struggling with a lack of resources to invest in new machinery and are therefore increasingly cautious when it comes to major purchases.
For many companies, retrofitting could be a crucial lifeline to boost performance and increase profitability—without having to incur the considerable costs of a completely new printing system.While the term "retrofit" used to conjure up images of a few spare parts in a dusty warehouse, we now see new opportunities for upgrading existing machine systems and, not least, a real change in the way this concept is perceived within the industry. Retrofits – which can include adding or changing additional units to expand capacity, modernizing machines, or simply replacing outdated parts or software – enable companies to improve the performance of their printing presses and often transform them into highly efficient, highly industrialized, and modern machines that can meet the most advanced requirements of modern printing.
The key thing is that retrofits boost the profitability of print shops and increase their return on investment—while also letting them keep up with customer demand and market trends by adding or removing units as needed. In the current economic climate, where interest rates are higher, profit margins are lower, and raising capital for new press purchases is difficult or impossible, retrofitting an existing press at a much lower investment rate is an excellent option.
As if that weren't enough, installing a digital printing unit in a printing press opens the door to smart, connected printing. This is now widely seen as essential to overcoming some of the industry's biggest and most serious challenges, including labor shortages, urbanization, spare parts supply bottlenecks, and rising costs. Furthermore, and specifically for Gallus, the range of retrofits expands the business offering and enables existing Gallus solutions to continue delivering high added value for decades to come. In addition, retrofitting technologies also allows us to better support our sustainability program by upgrading printing presses instead of scrapping or recycling them.
Classic machines, new thinking
In the printing industry, the most common technologies that customers are retrofitting are conventional printing presses—with elements such as a flexographic printing station or additional devices such as screen printing or cold foil. Customers are also increasingly looking to use digital solutions, such as full-fledged digital printing systems.
We offer this option with the Gallus ECS 340, a conventional press that can be upgraded with a Gallus digital printing unit to become a fully-fledged hybrid solution.
When it comes to a customer's specific needs, the first step is to determine what kind of configuration they have and what their ultimate goals are. In all cases, printing presses are retrofitted to solve specific challenges or take advantage of growth opportunities. However, there are also cases where we see other technologies being added. When we retrofit machines, for example, we often add state-of-the-art electronic components such as bus infrastructure, HMI, or main drive systems—we offer this for the Gallus TCS 250 or the Gallus EM 260/340/410/510 series. The upgrade ensures the availability of electronic spare parts that are currently difficult to obtain, extends the service life of the machines, and makes them future-proof for the coming years.
The art of successful retrofitting
Can every manufacturer offer retrofits and carry them out successfully? This requires the necessary internal expertise in mechanics, electronics, software, applications, and printing inks, to name just a few. Of course, it is also important that the necessary parts are available to offer these retrofit technologies—especially for seamless upgrades with minimal disruption to the customer. And after construction and installation, a strong global network to support customers on site is essential, no matter where they are located. Our Gallus Classics business unit, which was established during the recent pandemic and is now a key pillar of the company, is proof that retrofits, when done right, can breathe new life into businesses around the world and open up new opportunities.
In summary, retrofitting conventional systems with state-of-the-art technology not only extends the service life and value of a printing press by many years, but also helps to overcome some of the biggest challenges facing converters today and enables them to remain competitive and profitable. The ability to add digital solutions allows customers to benefit from an intelligent, connected printing ecosystem and future-proof their business. For me, this is a key factor in the success of the label and packaging market today and tomorrow.