LOC España invests in Bobst Master M5

LOC España has installed its second Bobst in-line flexo press, a Master M5. The decision was based both on operational needs and confidence in a collaborative partnership built with Bobst over more than 10 years. 

The family-owned company has built its reputation on quality and the ability to tackle increasingly complex label production challenges. With the recent installation of the Bobst Master M5 flexo press, LOC España has strengthened its production capacity and now has set its sights on adding a third Bobst machine and its first digital press.

In the self-adhesive label industry, trust is everything. For LOC España, customer trust has been earned over the years through personalized service, consistently high quality and a willingness to take on projects that go beyond conventional label production. So when the company recently decided to expand its printing capacity, trust also guided its choice of technology partner: Bobst.

The label market in Spain and across Europe is being reshaped by what industry professionals call the 'Amazon effect'. Customers expect ever-faster delivery times, flawless quality and competitive prices. For a specialist like LOC España, these pressures are a daily reality.

'Our customers demand very high quality and zero defects,' said Zoilo López, CEO of LOC España. 'Orders are typically high-volume, and a single error can result in significant product losses. They know they can come to us with any challenge: multilayer labels, variable numbering in booklet labels, reserved areas and special adhesives, or complex die-cutting labels. This wide range of offerings forms the basis of our value proposition.'

Founded in 1985 as part of an industrial group linked to the paper sector, LOC España evolved into a specialized manufacturer of self-adhesive labels and has grown steadily under the founding family's leadership. More than 16 years ago, the second generation took over when López joined the business, bringing renewed energy and a clear focus on innovation and customer service, while maintaining the close, personal culture that has always defined the company. Today, LOC España operates three shifts and serves customers across the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical and cosmetics sectors, mainly in Spain.

The challenge was not only to increase production volume. As order complexity grew and delivery times shortened, the company needed greater production flexibility and the ability to efficiently balance workflows across the entire plant. Replicating the existing machine with an identical model was the most logical choice.

LOC España’s relationship with Bobst began more than a decade ago, driven by the expertise of the local Bobst team together with Feimar, the company’s official distributor in Spain. LOC España’s first machine, a Bobst Master M4, quickly proved its value for versatility, reliability and efficiency on a single platform. Its intuitive operation, combined with innovative integrated tools, made an immediate difference.

When the time came to expand production capacity, they chose to invest in an evolution of the same model to maximize tooling compatibility, share operator expertise and enable smooth job transitions between production lines. The high-performance Master M5 flexo press was installed in mid-2025, with immediate impact not only by increasing capacity but also by integrating into the existing production environment.

'We chose Bobst because it reflects our philosophy: a young, dynamic and above all, innovative company,' explained López. With the second flexo press now operational, LOC España has increased its production capacity and, by operating two highly compatible Bobst lines, has achieved a better balance across production workflows throughout the plant.

'Machine tools like Print Tutor Technology are a key differentiator from competitors and perfectly align with the quality culture that defines our company,' noted Andrés Marían, production manager at LOC.

The company is also expanding its presence in the food labeling sector, particularly in labels designed for high-speed dual-head application equipment. Here, the Bobst platform's speed and reliability have been essential.

'Bobst has helped us achieve the speed and reliability needed to meet very tight deadlines, as well as to offer efficient finishing solutions such as multilayer and linerless labels,' said López.

Bobst’s technical support has matched the quality of its equipment. The evolution of Bobst Ibérica’s local service has further strengthened collaboration between the two companies, with after-sales service support being a key factor for a business that values long-term relationships.

'Jaume Martínez from Feimar always says that a sale is truly confirmed with the second machine. If everything goes as planned, we expect to install a third one this year. We particularly value the simplicity of operation and the machine’s continuous evolution. That combination is hard to find,' said López.

With a fully digital press already planned for installation before the end of the year, LOC España’s trajectory is clear. According to the company, for a family business built on values of precision, agility and trust, Bobst has become much more than a supplier: it is a strategic partner aligned with its values and ambitions.

'LOC España is exactly the kind of partner that inspires us,' said Jordi Giralt, head of Bobst’s label product line. 'They combine the spirit of a family business with a commitment to innovation and quality that is hard to match. Seeing them grow from one Bobst machine to two, and soon three, is a great source of pride for our team. In an industry where the margin for error is measured in microns and delivery windows are increasingly tight, this type of collaboration is invaluable. We look forward to continuing to support their ambitions and helping them stay at the forefront of an increasingly demanding market.'