Austrian printer growing after offset investment

Austrian printer Helf Etiketten has achieved its growth objectives after moving into offset printing via the installation of an Omet X6 press.

Hannes Fink (left) and Joachim Zeiler (right), Helf Etiketten, with Beatrix Hochleitner, Chromos

Helf Etiketten originally worked in publishing and flexographic printing. In 2007, the company invested in digital printing and started using HP Indigo technology. The purchase of a 530mm-wide UV flexo machine enabled the company to end the publishing business, which was no longer profitable. Helf Etiketten was acquired by Bizerba Group, a German leader in labeling and weighing technologies, in 2015, with strong growth since followed by relevant investment in equipment and facility.

The purchase of the Omet X6 was the result of an evaluation of the markets it serves, as Hannes Fink, Helf Etiketten operations director, explained: ‘Austria and South Germany are more oriented towards offset printing and the growth in the local market was one of our main goals. We thought that offset technology was the right choice to be more competitive. We evaluated the top-rated press suppliers. The first requisite was the width, as Helf Etiketten works at 530mm width both on conventional process and on digital printing. As a consequence, many suppliers were cut off from the competition.’

The configuration of the machine, installed in August 2016, includes five offset printing units and three flexo printing units. Offset is the basic technology. With the installation of the OMET X6, Helf Etiketten has become the ‘specialist’ in offset printing inside the Bizerba Group.

Fink noted: ‘Even if offset technology was a new entry for the company, start-up was simple and fast. After less than one month from the delivery, we were ready to sell the products to the market.’

Read more about Helf Etiketten’s investment in offset printing technology here