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Sellos becomes first in Paraguay to install Shine LED Lamp Kit

Piotr Wnuk — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 02:21:45 +0000

Sellos has become the first company in Paraguay to upgrade its plate exposure unit with a Shine LED Lamp Kit from Miraclon, working with local channel partner Lumila to complete the installation.

The Paraguayan pre-press trade shop, a long-time Flexcel NX Technology user, invested in the LED lamp upgrade to enhance its flexographic plate exposure capabilities and improve productivity targets.

'The changeover to LED exposure further enables us to help our customers adopt modern flexo practices and maximize the on-press benefits that Flexcel NX Plates deliver,' noted Francisco Cardozo, president of Sellos. 'It also massively improved our own productivity and sustainability targets, while uniformity across the plate is better too.'

The Shine LED Lamp Kit eliminates preheating requirements, removing waiting time before exposure begins. The exposure process is now 30 to 40 percent faster than previous methods.

'With no preheating required, the waiting time before exposure has been eliminated,' explained Cardozo. 'This immediately confirmed to me that the Shine LED Lamp was a sound investment for us.'

The retrofit kit utilizes customers' existing fluorescent exposure frames and can be installed in the field within a few hours. For a fraction of the cost of a new LED exposure unit, users benefit from consistent, predictable intensity over an extended operating life of more than 5,000 hours compared to 800 hours for fluorescent tubes.

The technology also delivers faster exposures and enhanced sustainability performance. These features won the Shine LED Lamp Kit awards for both Sustainability and Technical Innovation at the 2024 FTA Excellence in Flexography Awards in North America, as well as the German FTA Sustainability Technology Award.

The installation represents Miraclon's expanding presence in South American markets through strategic partnerships with local channel partners, such as Lumila.

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Pre-press trade shop upgrades flexo plate exposure with Miraclon technology.

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Pre-press trade shop upgrades flexo plate exposure with Miraclon technology.

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Etiplast invests in Nilpeter FA-22 flexo press

Akanksha Meena — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 07:34:54 +0000

Etiplast, a key player in the Central American packaging industry, has added Nilpeter FA-22 flexo press to expand its production capabilities and reinforce its position as one of the region’s leading suppliers of high-quality packaging.

Based in Costa Rica and active across Central America and beyond, Etiplast has built a solid reputation over the past 30 years for delivering flexible, reliable, and technically advanced packaging materials.

The FA-22, Nilpeter’s flagship Flexo platform, adds a new dimension to Etiplast’s portfolio. Known for its high level of automation, user-friendly operation, and high print quality, the FA-22 will allow Etiplast to better serve existing customers while expanding into new segments and applications.

The new press is specifically configured for flexible packaging. One of the first applications will be coffee bags - a key market in the region, which is why the press has been equipped with solvent units to laminate in-line. Etiplast also plans to target the growing shrink sleeves segment, using white ink in solvent. Although the press is fully capable of running label production, the main focus will remain on flexible packaging.
Currently, Etiplast operates two Nilpeter FA-14 presses at high occupancy, producing tape for the agroindustrial sector. The plan is to shift part of that workload to the new FA-22, thereby freeing up capacity on the FA-14s for additional label production. Etiplast is already recognised as one of the leaders in tape for fruit packaging and is known throughout the industry for its innovation and development in this segment.

‘For us, it’s about staying ahead,’ said Adolfo Madrigal, operations manager at Etiplast. ‘We’re always looking to offer our customers more – more flexibility, better efficiency, and greater consistency. This new press allows us to do exactly that.’

Juan Pablo Patino Arevalo, Nilpeter’s regional sales manager, welcomes the continued collaboration: ‘It’s a real honor to continue the strong partnership we’ve enjoyed with Etiplast for many years. The new FA-22 gives them some truly unique possibilities in their market, and we’re excited to be part of the journey.’

With the new press scheduled to go live later this year, Etiplast is well-positioned to meet growing demand, explore new market opportunities, and continue leading the way in the region’s packaging industry.

Nilpeter’s flexo flagship, the FA-Line, will be on display at Labelexpo Europe 2025 at stand 3D55 to experience the future of label and flexible packaging printing.

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Etiplast invests in Nilpeter FA-22 flexo press

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Costa Rica based converter adds new press configured for coffee flexible packaging.

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Costa Rica based converter adds new press configured for coffee flexible packaging.

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Labelexpo Mexico sees a 15 percent increase in attendees

Selah Zighelboim — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 20:01:51 +0000

Labelexpo 11 August 2025

Labelexpo Mexico sees a 15 percent increase in attendees

Labelexpo Mexico 2025 was double the size of the previous edition and included more equipment and market optimism.

Labelexpo Mexico 2025 was double the size of the previous edition and included more equipment and market optimism

Labelexpo Mexico 2025 welcomed 6,655 people from 52 countries and more than 200 exhibitors to Guadalajara on April 1-3. The show floor was twice the size of the 2023 event in Mexico City, while visitors from Mexico and the wider Latin American region saw cutting-edge equipment demonstrations from national and international exhibitors.

Aside from Mexico, Central America was particularly well-represented among the show visitors, while converters were also in attendance from countries throughout South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Exhibitors said they were delighted with the number and quality of visitors at the show. They were universally enthusiastic about the Mexican label market, despite some political uncertainty caused by elections in both Mexico and the US last year, and the threat of tariffs on Mexican goods exported to the US. Growth in domestic consumption has remained robust, and there has been little slowdown in capital equipment expenditures by Mexican label converters.

There was a significant increase in the number of machines displayed compared to the event two years ago. It was notable that exhibitors largely showed their top‑of-the-range equipment. A B Graphic demonstrated its flagship Digicon Series 3, for example, and many exhibitors were increasing their presence in the local market, either through distribution deals (in the case of many Chinese exhibitors, for example) or the establishing of dedicated local offices, as was recently announced by Italian converting equipment manufacturer Cartes.

Press technology

Digital and flexo technology were on display in abundance at Labelexpo Mexico, with press manufacturers reporting increasing interest from local converters in automation and value-added options.

Domino showed its N610i digital label press and the K600i and K300 monochrome inkjet printbars for variable data and 2D code printing. Both systems are proving popular with Mexican converters, according to Gary Peterson, senior account manager, variable data solutions at Domino. ‘The tequila market is booming for us, helped by a government mandate for SAT tax stamps on tequila bottles. Fruit labels, which require variable data, is also a big market.’

Durst showed its Tau 340 RSC E UV inkjet press. Arturo Olaya, business development manager for labels and flexible packaging, said that 2024 was the company’s best year in Mexico, with eight presses sold, while 15 sales are forecast for this year. Durst serves the Latin American market through offices in Mexico, Brazil and Chile.

“There is a lot more drive to automate processes in Mexico. With such proximity to the US market, converters here are learning quickly that quality and faster turnaround are so important”

Etirama demonstrated its new SPS4 multi-substrate chill-drum flexo press, which allows production of shrink sleeves as well as in-mold, wraparound and self-adhesive labels. According to CEO Ronnie Schroter, Mexico is the company’s second-largest Latin American market outside its native Brazil, with more than 40 presses installed. It began selling to the market directly last year, instead of through an agent, and sales ‘have risen strongly since then,’ said Schroter. The press on display was sold to a Guatemalan converter on the second day of the show. ‘We focus on supplying machines to smaller converters,’ said Schroter. ‘We’re not Ferrari or Mercedes, but more like Toyota — cheaper, lower running costs and good reliability.’

Flexi-Vel showed a flexo press from Chinese manufacturer Hyde, which general director Fernando Trujillo described as ‘one of the top two or three flexo presses from China.’ The 12-color machine features precise registration, optimized changeover times, digitalized operation and open-access modular design. The press on display was due to be delivered to a converter in Mexico City after the show — the first sale into the country.

Flora, represented in the Mexican market by Banzi, showed the new Flora J-350 P8 HD UV inkjet label press, which prints at a resolution of up to 1,200 x 1,200 DPI at speeds of up to 100m/min.

GBTL showed a variety of equipment from suppliers it represents, such as the Labstar 330S 5-color UV inkjet press from HanGlory Group and Jingwei narrow web slitting systems with laser and knife cutting.

Heidelberg promoted its flexo and digital press portfolio. Head of marketing Fernando Menendez described Mexico ‘as a great market for us across all segments, but above all in labels.’ The first installation of the recently launched Gallus One digital press took place late last year, and the company installed multiple Gallus Labelmaster flexo presses.

HR Flexo showed Brazilian manufacturer Kromia’s KL1 flexo press, while also promoting the KL2, KL3 and Infinity Master models.

HS Machinery showed its RFP 340 flexo press, which was developed in partnership with Rotocon. The multi-substrate machine can print labels, shrink sleeves and flexible packaging and runs at up to 200m/ min. More than 50 of the presses have been sold in Rotocon’s native South Africa and four in Europe by Rotocon’s German office. The companies’ presence at Labelexpo Mexico represented their first push into the Mexican market, said Rotocon MD Marco Aengenvoort. ‘The press is well-positioned for this market,’ he said. ‘We are looking for a local partner to help with service, but we have 28 engineers spread around the world so are able to offer service already.’

Konica Minolta demonstrated its AccurioLabel 400 for roll-to-roll label production; AccurioPrint 4065 for sheet-fed label production; and AccurioShine 101 for label embellishment. ‘The Mexican market is maturing, so digital is of increasing interest to converters,’ said Roberto Vázquez, director of indirect sales and digital printing at Konica Minolta Mexico. ‘We have high expectations for the Mexican market this year.’

Manroland Latina represented press manufacturers Omet and Miyakoshi and converting equipment suppliers DCM, Pantec and Prati at the show. Hans Ramon Hoffman, head of webfed labels and packaging business unit, said there is increasing demand for higher-quality equipment and added-value embellishment in the local market.

Mark Andy showed its Evolution Series E5 press and Rotoflex VSI-330 converting system. ‘Despite the political uncertainty, we’ve not really seen a slowdown in Mexico; we are still selling machines,’ said Latin America sales manager John Vigna. The company announced a partnership with Guadalajara-based service provider Canvitech. The Canvitech team, led by Mark Andy’s service director in Mexico, Alfredo Hernandez, will operate as Mark Andy-trained technicians, while the Guadalajara facility will serve as a hub for warehousing and distributing parts and supplies.

Nilpeter has more presses installed in Guadalajara than in any other city worldwide. There are several hundred Nilpeter installations there, according to global sales director Jesper Jørgensen. The company showed its new FB line, available in 14in or 17in web width, which is based on the same platform as its FA line of presses. ‘The press has been a huge success throughout Latin America,’ said Jørgensen. ‘Converters are investing in presses which are wider, more automated and with more added-value options.’

Pulisi, represented in Mexico by Printum Concepts for a year, showed its DSmart 330 inkjet press, for which the Chinese manufacturer also provides in-line and off-line finishing systems. Printum Concepts’ director Miguel Guadalajara said the company had recently sold its first three presses in Mexico. ‘There is great potential for this brand in Mexico,’ he said.

“Despite the political uncertainty, we’ve not really seen a slowdown in Mexico; we are still selling machines”

Sun Digital, HP Indigo’s representative in Mexico, showed the HP Indigo 6K digital press. Cecilia Palafox, country manager, Mexico for HP and PWP (Page Wide Press), estimates that HP holds a 96 percent digital label market share in Mexico, with 86 presses sold in the past 16 years, including its first V12 installation in the country last year. ‘Local converters are increasingly diversifying into different applications such as shrink sleeves, in-mold and flexible packaging,’ said Palafox. ‘The shrink sleeve market is exploding in Mexico and in Latin America generally. Flexible packaging is also growing strongly, and the HP Indigo 200K, which is 45 percent more productive than the 20K, is selling well.’ Palafox cited the example of Bimbo, a massive Latin American bread brand, switching its popular Pan Dulce chocolate-covered bread product to flexible packaging last year. It has made the same move for its Bimbo Galletas biscuit brand this year, too.

Weigang demonstrated its ZJR 5350 Pro hybrid press. The Chinese manufacturer appointed Jetrix as its Mexico distributor in September 2023, and sold four flexo presses in the first year. Emma Ye, sales manager for North America, said: ‘The press allows label printing but also diversification into package printing. We see a lot of potential in this market.’

Converting equipment

In a country with a booming tequila sector and a burgeoning wine industry, demand for high-end embellishment is on the rise, according to the finishing and converting equipment manufacturers at the show.

A B Graphic showed its flagship converting system, the Digicon Series 3. Hugo Barranco, director of Renew Solutions, ABG’s distributor in Mexico, said: ‘There is exponential growth in finishing equipment sales in Mexico. Many offset printers have moved into label production in the last two years.’ Since appointing Renew Solutions as its agent three years ago, ABG has installed more than 25 machines in Mexico, around half of which are Digicon Series 3 systems. Barranco cited wine, tequila and craft beers as key growth sectors for converters installing ABG equipment, while RFID is an ‘increasingly popular’ application. The company sold five machines during the first two days of the show, including the Digicon Series 3 on display.

Brotech demonstrated an array of digital embellishment, pouch making, flexible packaging and converting systems alongside local agent Banzi, including the SDF Plus Speedmaster digital finishing machine. Jonathan Cervantes, sales manager, graphic arts at Banzi, and a founding partner of the company, said: ‘The local market is strong, with good consumption. There has been a surge in artisanal food and beverage products since the pandemic, which has increased demand for digital converting equipment.’

Cartes showed a variety of label converting machines, including the GT365HFSRD finishing line for high-end embellishment labels, configured with flexo coating, conventional screen printing and hot stamping as well as tool-less continuous metallic foil doming applications and semi-rotary die-cutting. The company’s first sales in Mexico took place two years ago during the previous Labelexpo Mexico, and the potential it sees in the market has led it to establish an office in Guadalajara for sales, tech support and consumables. ‘We see big potential in the Mexican market, particularly in applications such as tequila, which require high-end embellishment,’ said Virgilio Micale, global sales director. ‘The local wine industry, much of which is based in the north of the country and targets the US market, is also forecast to grow significantly over the next five years.’

Dimatra demonstrated its new Smart Eco inspection slitter rewinder, designed for plastic film and self-adhesive labels. Also on show was the new Dimatra 100 percent Print Inspection System equipped with camera technology. CEO Pablo Orozco said demand for both high-end embellishment systems and inspection technology is rising in Mexico, and that the shrink sleeve market is ‘growing strongly’.

ETI Converting, promoting its Cohesio line for linerless label production, was ‘testing the potential of the Mexican market’ by exhibiting at the show, according to sales director Baudry Bayzelon. ‘It’s a growing market for us, with real potential,’ he said. ‘Converters want to learn about linerless technology.’

Golden Laser, represented in the Mexican market by Banzi, presented its latest digital laser die-cutting system, the LC-350.

Hoaco Automation Technology showed an RFID label converting machine. The company’s rotary die-cutting equipment is widely used across various industries, including automotive electronics, converting, RFID labels, and more.

Lemorau, which appointed Empackt as its local distributor 18 months before the show, demonstrated its EB die-cutting machine for high-volume production, capable of reaching speeds of up to 200m/min; Lemorau 2F, a versatile fan fold machine; Lemorau CTA1500, an automatic core cutter; and Lemorau RA, a label rewinder. All on-stand machinery was already sold to Mexican converter Grupo de Servicios Gráficos del Centro. ‘Mexico is a flourishing market and our presence here is growing,’ said sales executive Lara Sousa.

Martin Automatic described Mexico as a ‘steady market’ for the company, with ‘strong growth in the last six months despite the political uncertainty’. Mike Jelinsky, sales engineer for Latin America, Canada and the US West Coast, said: ‘Label converters in Mexico are looking to diversify their production, which our equipment allows them to do. The non-stop operation is also good for productivity.’

Rhyguan Machinery demonstrated the Rhyguan Plus digital label converting line. The servo-driven machine features spot varnish, hot stamping and semi-rotary die-cutting. Its modular construction allows new features to be added or existing modules to be rearranged.

“Local converters are increasingly diversifying into different applications such as shrink sleeves, in-mold and flexible packaging”

Schobertechnologies demonstrated its RSM550 Digi-Varicut with Single Spider, a fully automized system for high-speed die-cutting and stacking of in-mold labels. Gerald Glaas, executive VP and CSO, said: ‘This is our first time at Labelexpo Mexico. We saw more and more Mexican converters attending Labelexpo Americas in Chicago, so we decided to exhibit machinery here because it is a growing market.’ The company sells directly in Mexico and has ‘a number of big local customers’.

Vemax, a Brazilian converting equipment manufacturer, began selling into Mexico and the US five years ago through agents. In September last year, it appointed Francisco Pisano to lead its sales efforts in Mexico, and the new direct approach is paying off with seven sales since then. ‘We are increasing our focus on the Mexican market and building local service and support,’ he said. The company demonstrated the VRR TA V380 inspection rewinder and the new compact VSM 250.

Workflow

Workflow and software technology took center stage, as converters face increased pressure to optimize operations amid workforce challenges. Experts say the rapid growth of nearshoring from many Asian companies looking to serve the North and South American markets has caused a knock-on effect of fewer skilled workers to operate label printing and converting equipment. This, in turn, pushes converters to look for smarter and more automated ways to run their business.

‘This market understands the need to be more efficient to enter the US market,’ said Esteban Garcia, business development manager at Cerm. ‘Everyone wants to know how to get more value out of their equipment and maximize their processes. The Cerm technology gives them the tools so they can strategize around efficiencies.’

Software suppliers like Cerm, Amtech Software (Labeltraxx), eProductivity, SisPro and Twist Software showcased technology designed to streamline production, reduce manual touchpoints and uncover new efficiencies. Each of these companies’ respective technologies can help label converters manage everything from estimating and scheduling to inventory, allowing companies to do more and with greater efficiency.

Steffen Haaga, director of global business development at Cerm, said: ‘There is a lot more drive to automate processes in Mexico. With such proximity to the US market, converters here are learning quickly that quality and faster turnaround are so important. They are learning quickly that what you cannot measure, you cannot manage. And what you cannot manage, you cannot improve.’

Color management exhibitors and RIP processing companies showed Labelexpo Mexico visitors their technology designed to optimize workflow efficiency and color accuracy across various substrates.

Hybrid Software showed technology that simplifies spot color simulation, extended gamut printing and digital press optimization. Hybrid Software’s VDP Execute automates workflows for variable data, and can work well for short runs, personalized packaging and custom labels.

GMG offered its ColorPlugin software for converting spot and process colors within Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, transforming spot colors into 4c and extended gamut process inks.

Materials

Sustainability was a major focus for material and ink suppliers at the show. Customers are interested in materials made from recycled content, exhibitors said. They also want materials that make recycling easier. And these same exhibitors, who came from all over the world, said that Mexico is an attractive market to do business in. The local economy is growing, and it has the second-largest population in Latin America, with a population of nearly 130 million. Bordering the US, Mexico offers substantial nearshoring potential and serves as a gateway to the rest of Latin America.

Arclad, a Colombia-based company with a presence throughout Latin America, showcased sustainable materials, such as its wash-off PET, which enables the recyclability of PET containers; its bio-based hotmelt adhesive, which has at least 60 percent of its raw materials coming from renewable sources; and its new product, a recycled-content polypropylene.

UPM Raflatac focused on sustainability by featuring its Carbon Action plastic label portfolio, its Label Life lifecycle assessment service and its wood-based Forest Film plastic face material.

Avery Dennison also exhibited its sustainable products, such as its linerless labels, and RFID. Avery Dennison has a significant presence in Mexico, with three distribution centers, a factory in Querétaro, and a new RFID facility in Querétaro, which is Avery Dennison’s largest RFID facility in the world, as well as additional sales representatives and service teams.

‘The trade that we have today with America and Canada makes Mexico an attractive market,’ commercial manager Mariana Méndez said. ‘Also, we have connections with South America and the Caribbean.’

Cosmo Films exhibited a range of BOPP films for the packaging industry, the thermal lamination and pressure-sensitive segments, and industrial films and synthetic papers. Based in India, the company has warehouses worldwide and plans to open a warehouse in Mexico soon. Latin America, in general, is a growing market for Cosmo Films.

‘It’s a developing market,’ vice president Kapil Anand said. ‘It’s not yet a mature market, so a lot of new printers are putting up new machines. There are a lot of new customers that are coming to us.’

India-based MLJ Industries showcased film and paper-based labelstock and release liners. The company came to Labelexpo Mexico looking for partners. Director and founder Siddarth Jian said that MLJ exports to the Middle East and Africa but doesn’t have much of a presence in the Americas yet and is looking to expand.

Fedrigoni, which showcased self-adhesive label materials and tapes, greatly expanded its presence in Mexico by acquiring Mexico City-based Industrial Papelera Venus in 2020. This decision was driven by an interest in Mexico’s export market to the US, as well as Mexico’s local, growing demand for labels, said Priscila Azevedo, Latin American marketing manager.

“We see big potential in the Mexican market, particularly in applications such as tequila, which require high-end embellishment”

Wausau Coated exhibited products from its new line of materials for wine, beer and spirits. The company highlighted its Hydro Opaque material, a roll labelstock that performs well when wet. To demonstrate this, the company kept a bottle of wine, with a Hydro Opaque label, in an ice bucket full of water at its stand for all three days of the show.

This year was Chiripal Poly Films’ first time exhibiting at Labelexpo Mexico, where it showcased materials for wraparound labels, in-mold labels, pressure-sensitive labels and release liners. Nitish Verma, general manager of sales and marketing, said Chiripal Poly Films wants to expand its presence in Latin America. South America, in particular, is a large market for in-mold labels, he said.

Garware, another material supplier from India, also exhibited at Labelexpo Mexico for the first time. There, it showcased a range of its proprietary films, including silicone liners, thermal lamination film, PVC film and a new PET-C film.

Canada-based Hardvogue showcased in-mold label films, BOPP, metallized paper and shrink PETG/PVC films, among other products.

Yupo showed two new products: the SuperYupo Plus substrate for conventional offset printing, and CleanSort in-mold labels, which detach during recycling, helping with the recycling process.

Other companies at Labelexpo Mexico included JCR Pack, which showcased PETG and PVC shrink films; DNP, which showed thermal transfer ribbons; International Media Products, which featured wax ribbons and resins; and Green Bay Packaging, which showed various materials, including paper, white and transparent BOPP, PVC and more.

M+S exhibited BOPP, PVC and craft tapes, as well as paper and film label materials and ribbon. M+S is based in Mexico City, with additional distribution points in Guadalajara, León, Aguascalientes, Querétaro and Puebla, with a new office coming to Monterrey.

LBT Ribbons, based in Guadalajara, featured its wax, wax-resin and resin ribbons, which it manufactures.

Overtape, also based in Guadalajara, showcased its matte and bright laminates and BOPP, PETG and PVC films for the labeling industry. Guadalajara is a ‘metropolis of labels here in Mexico,’ Overtape sales manager Saul Chale said.

There were also companies exhibiting materials for embellishments. Kurz showcased hot-stamping foils, cold foils and holographic materials. K Laser exhibited its line of cold foil for shrink sleeves and labels. ‘Brand owners are looking for ways to make their products stand out in the supermarket,’ said Jaime Ancalmo, director of sales for Latin America at K Laser.

Chinese material suppliers had a significant presence at Labelexpo Mexico. These companies included Jinda Packaging Materials Technology, Fangda Packaging, Youhua New Material Technology, Soontomax Label Material, HSF Films, Super Color Inks, Todaytec Digital and more.

Inks

Siegwerk showcased environmentally friendly inks, including washable inks and inks made from vegetable oils and soy.

Nazdar exhibited two new products, both launched in Q4 of 2024: its 68500 LED flexo inks, for presses that run 400-500 ft/min, and its W181 water-based ink system.

Natural Inks showed a range of inks, including water-based, solvent-based, UV and UV-LED.

Zeller+Gmelin showcased standard UV and LED inks, as well as coatings, adhesives and primers. It currently has distribution centers in Guadalajara and Querétaro, and it’s looking to open a third distribution center in Monterrey. Mexico is its fastest‑growing market in the Americas.

Mexico City-based Azteca Inks exhibited UV and LED inks, laminates and varnishes.

Plates

Among the companies exhibiting plates, platemaking and plate-mounting equipment at Labelexpo Mexico was Heaford, which brought a manual ELS and a semi-automatic FTS plate-mounter to Labelexpo Mexico. Mexico has many converters, many of which are small companies, said Nick Vindel, Latin American sales manager. Vindel said Heaford works to convince these converters to move from mounting plates by eye to using plate-mounting equipment.

Xsys featured its plates, sleeves and platemaking equipment. Tesa Tapes exhibited plate-mounting tapes and adhesives, while Beta Industry featured the Beta Flex Pro2, a technology that analyzes flexo plates.

Fujifilm showcased various products, including plate processors, offset computer‑to-plate technology and Flenex water-wash plates. Fujifilm processed these plates live at its booth to demonstrate the benefits of water-wash plate processing, which is faster and more environmentally friendly than solvent processing.

Dies and tooling

Kocher+Beck showed its GapMaster EM system, which is reverse compatible with any previously installed K+B GapMaster model. The mechanical adjustment handle is replaced with the EM retrofit gearbox, providing digital technology with maximum precision. The company appointed CRD as a local distributor in late 2023, which has allowed it to provide a ‘higher level of service’ and achieve an ‘uptick in sales’, according to CEO David Morris. ‘Mexico is an important market for us,’ he said. ‘The recent expansion of our facility in Kansas and the installation of new equipment show the importance of the North and South American markets and help us to support local converters.’

“Nilpeter has more presses installed in Guadalajara than any other city worldwide”

Maxcess, promoting its range of dies and tooling, sees Mexico as ‘an excellent market, with lots of growth and lots of machinery being installed,’ according to Jackie Ramos, senior technical and sales manager for Latin America. ‘Label designs and the materials used are becoming more advanced, which is increasing quality demands in the local market. Guadalajara is an important center of the local print industry, and the quality of visitors to the show has been very high.’

Rotometal was represented at the show by agent Grupo Sigma. Director Emma Lozano Valdivia said the year had started slowly, but ‘the last couple of months have really picked up’. Representing Rotometal for the past six months, she described it as ‘a well-known, high-quality brand’.

Wilson Manufacturing considers Mexico ‘an important growth market’ according to Mike Devaney, vice president of sales. The company, promoting its range of dies and tooling at the show, ‘has invested in serving the local market and this is paying off,’ he said.

Ancillaries

GEW was promoting two products for LED curing: AeroLED2 and LeoLED2. Company representatives noted a clear shift to LED curing technology among Mexican label converters. Driven by a demand for energy efficiency, faster production speed, improved sustainability and longer lamp life, LED is an attractive upgrade, said Amir Dekel, vice president of sales.

At Harper’s booth, Juan Bermudez, executive vice president, saw a lot of interest in the company’s X-Cast engraving technology for flexo printing. X-Cat was developed to combat common flexo printing problems: ink spitting, moiré, trail edge voids, ghosting, and ink re-solubility. Bermudez said: ‘Mexico is a very dynamic market. People here are not shy about investing in new technology. They are committed to efficiencies and standardization to ensure profitability. Latin America can be price-sensitive. But if there’s a correlation between value and the price you’re offering, then it’s not a difficult decision.’

Exhibitors praise event

Héctor Yáñez, director of marketing, graphic arts at Fujifilm de Mexico, said: ‘The event has gone very, very well. There have been many more visitors than in the previous edition in Mexico City, with a strong, continuous flow.’

Amir Dekel, vice president of sales at GEW, commented: ‘Labelexpo Mexico this year was larger than previous shows in the region and showed the growth of this market in Latin America. We successfully closed a significant amount of business in the booth and opened several new opportunities for the near and far future.’

James Quirk

Latin America Correspondent

Selah Zighelboim

North American Editor

Click here for more information on All4Labels.

Chelsea McDougall

Group managing editor

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All4Labels reaps benefits of South American focus

Piotr Wnuk — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 22:35:15 +0000

M&A 06 August 2025

All4Labels reaps benefits of South American focus

A plethora of M&A activity in South America, particularly in Brazil, has propelled All4Labels into a leading supplier of labels and packaging.

A plethora of M&A activity in South America, particularly in Brazil, has propelled All4Labels into a leading supplier of labels and packaging in the region.

Over the past two decades, ongoing consolidation among label converters has created a top tier of multi-national groups with dozens of facilities spread around the world. All4Labels, founded in 2016 with the merger of Brazil-based Baumgarten and German companies Rako and X-Label, is one such label and package printing behemoth, with more than 50 production facilities producing more than 80 billion labels a year and an annual revenue of around 1bn USD.

Yet one point of difference comes from All4Labels’ unique geographic spread. Its strongest presence, with some two-thirds of its facilities, is in Europe, and it also runs operations in Mexico, China and Africa. But in South America, following a raft of acquisitions over the past two years, it boasts more factories than any other label printing conglomerate.

This greater focus on South America compared to its rivals is partly explained by the extensive local market knowledge brought by one of the three founding members of the converting group. Prior to the creation of All4Labels, Baumgarten, already a leading label printer in Brazil, had acquired Argentina-based Autopack in 2014, as well as expanding into the wider Latin American region with the purchase of Mexican company Etiquetas Rodak in the same year.

“In the South and Central America region, we have seen tremendous growth opportunities arising, especially in Brazil”

Yet, it is also a strong vote of confidence in the potential of the South American label industry in general and the Brazilian market in particular, as well as the execution of a strategic plan: to focus on consolidating the company’s activities in South America following a period of doing the same in Europe, in order to ensure proximity to its customer base.

Consolidation

Following the formation of All4Labels in 2016, the company swiftly began further expansion in Europe, with the acquisition of leading Italian converter Nuceria Group, just a little more than 18 months later. With external investment from private equity company Triton arriving in 2019, All4Labels ramped up the growth of its European footprint in the following years with deals for more than a dozen companies spread around the continent, including in Denmark, Italy, Romania, Spain and the UK.

‘We were consolidated in the European market, but less so in South America,’ explains Fernando Gabel, former president of South and Central America for All4Labels, and now responsible for Central Europe and M&A. ‘From 2022 onwards, All4Labels drove substantial investments in M&A activities, especially across South America, with our operations in this area experiencing significant growth, counting today more than 15 production sites and entering a new market: Paraguay.

‘In the years that followed, we achieved a turnover increase of over 100 million EUR, significantly expanding our portfolio to include key industries such as healthcare, aviation, automotive, agrochemicals and durables.

All4Labels has a significant presence throughout South Americ

‘Our acquisition of a leading player in Chile further solidified our position as a key partner in the wine and spirits segment as well. By 2023, we strengthened our footprint in São Paulo, an important hub for regional and global customers. Furthermore, from 2022 to 2024, we invested more than 10 million EUR in cutting-edge flexography technology and in our healthcare division, expanding the capabilities of our facilities.’

Extensive M&A activity in Brazil, in particular, has led to All4Labels now running 14 production sites around the country and an additional office in São Paulo.

The expansion began in earnest in early 2022 with the acquisition of Flexoprint, a leading provider of labels and shrink sleeves with three manufacturing sites in Brazil and one in neighboring Paraguay. The following year, it added Label Press, a durables-focused converter based in the northern city of Manaus, food label converter Visionflex, Uniflexo, pharmaceutical label specialists Involv, Allbox, FaberPrint and Geon, as well as Maxcor, a specialist in the chemical and oil label market with two plants. Also in 2023, All4Labels acquired leading Chilean wine label converter AMF Etiquetas, further enhancing its regional presence in South America. In 2024, it opened a new facility in João Pessoa in northeastern Brazil.

Two key elements behind this focus on the Brazilian market are All4Labels’ philosophy of proximity to its clients, and strong growth in the local market. ‘We like to be very close to our customers,’ the company’s CEO, Günther Weymans says.

‘The Brazilian label market still has a low per capita pressure-sensitive label consumption, so we are betting on its continued growth,’ says Gabel. ‘Brazil is a fluctuating market, but in general there is a robust growth rate, driven largely by sectors such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Simultaneously, with the rise of e-commerce, businesses in Brazil are increasingly facing demands for innovative packaging solutions that meet regulatory requirements while also appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.

‘While Brazil’s GDP is expected to grow by 2.2 percent in 2025, experts also foresee important growth in the markets supplied by All4Labels, highlighting the 5 percent GDP growth for the agriculture market this year.’

There has been focused investment in digital technology recently at one of the company’s sites in São Paulo, aimed at expanding booklet production capacity, a key application for Brazil’s large agriculture and agrochemical market. All4Labels considers itself the leader in various products within these markets. The additional booklet production capacity will also help it expand further in the pharma market, as well as enhance its offering for the cosmetics sector, long a key focus for All4Labels. Further investment has also taken place to expand shrink sleeve production, a fast-growing market in Brazil.

“We are continually monitoring global market dynamics and remain open to evaluating potential acquisitions that could enhance our global network”

‘We have strategically positioned ourselves for anticipated market growth by significantly enhancing our high-tech booklet production capacity, enabling us to meet the industry’s rising demands with exceptional quality and innovation,’ says Weymans. ‘Additionally, in our sleeves division, we have expanded facilities and invested in advanced technologies, ensuring we continue to serve this expanding market while upholding the highest quality standards. These milestones are integral to All4Labels’ plan to achieve over 10 percent growth in South and Central America by 2025, solidifying our status as the leading converter in the region.’

Strategy

All4Labels’ rapid expansion in South America is an important pillar in the company’s principal aim: to become a leading player in the labeling and packaging sector worldwide. ‘In recent years, All4Labels has made significant strides in the labeling and packaging industry and undertaken substantial investments in expanding our global capabilities and updating our technology,’ says Weymans.

‘In the South and Central America region, we have seen tremendous growth opportunities arising, especially in Brazil. Our expansion in the region marks a significant step in our growth, enhancing the existing global presence and our commitment to proximity and customer‑centricity. As a result of our investments, we’re better equipped to improve service agility and responsiveness, supporting both global and local customers while reinforcing our dedication to exceptional customer service.

‘This success is a testament to our overarching global strategy, which aims to establish All4Labels as a leading player in the labeling and packaging sector worldwide. A key facet of this strategy is our commitment to providing proximity and local support to our customers, ensuring they receive the tailored solutions and service they need to thrive in their respective markets.’

Acquisition strategy

When considering companies for acquisition, All4Labels focuses on the business’ culture over aiming to add specific technological capabilities or strengthening particular market sectors. Even the best-laid plans can go awry, admits Fernando Gabel, so maintaining flexibility is key. ‘You might be looking at a specific sector but not able to find the right company in that moment. If that’s the case, it is better to grow organically than to make the wrong acquisition,’ he says.

‘We are continually monitoring global market dynamics and remain open to evaluating potential acquisitions that could enhance our global network,’ says Günther Weymans, CEO of All4Labels. ‘Our focus is on enriching our capabilities and ensuring that we provide our customers with top-tier service and the best labeling options available. That said, while we are assessing new opportunities, we also place significant emphasis on the consolidation and integration of any new entity. It’s essential for us to cultivate a unified company culture across our diverse and multicultural workforce.’

James Quirk

Latin America Correspondent

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Etirama unveils SP3 Unique flexo press

Selah Zighelboim — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 14:51:39 +0000

On June 30, Etirama officially unveiled its latest flexographic printing press: the Etirama SP3 Unique.

This new model was developed to meet the latest technological demands in flexography, offering high performance and versatility. Key features include Top Load printing heads for easier operation, tools such as laser point pre-registration, a short web path for material efficiency, and the Waste Matrix System — a waste rewinder that enhances production efficiency.

Designed for both large production runs and short jobs, the SP3 Unique offers speed, quick setup and minimal waste, delivering high productivity while reducing operational costs.

The SP3 Unique is specifically tailored to meet the needs of today’s converters, who prioritize a fast return on investment.

Seven units were sold prior to the official unveiling.

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Stahl inaugurates Customer Center of Excellence in León

Adyasha Sinha — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 11:33:59 +0000

Stahl, manufacturer of specialty coatings for flexible materials, has relocated and opened its enhanced Center of Excellence in León, Mexico. The new facility features state-of-the-art offices, application laboratories, and testing capabilities, enabling the delivery of advanced, lower-impact products closer to customers across Latin America.

This strategic investment follows a series of recent expansions, including the doubling of capacity in China, a new production facility in Ranipet, India, a Center of Excellence in Apex, a new laboratory in Japan and a new PUD facility in Singapore. With a significantly larger footprint than the previous León facility, the upgraded center provides a more comprehensive customer experience, encompassing multi-substrate design support, application development, testing and training.

'Mexico is an important market for Stahl, with a strong base of automotive, fashion and footwear customers,' said Maarten Heijbroek, CEO of Stahl. 'By investing in this enhanced facility, we are staying close to where our customers are and giving them access to the very best technologies, people and expertise. This is a clear example of how we are growing with purpose, to serve our partners better today and tomorrow.'

The León site is part of Stahl’s global network, comprising over 30 application labs, 10 Centers of Excellence, and 15 manufacturing facilities.

Saul Rios, managing director of Stahl LATAM, added: 'This new regional capability strengthens our customer-intimate business model. Here, we can directly collaborate with our customers and brands, accelerate our customers’ innovations, and deliver outcomes tailored to regional needs. Our focus remains on co-creating products that touch lives, while always contributing to a better world.'

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Stahl inaugurates Customer Center of Excellence in León

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The León site is part of Stahl’s global network, comprising more than 30 application labs, 10 Centers of Excellence, and 15 manufacturing facilities.

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The León site is part of Stahl’s global network, comprising more than 30 application labs, 10 Centers of Excellence, and 15 manufacturing facilities.

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Multietiquetas installs Nilpeter FB-14 press

Adyasha Sinha — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:20:27 +0000

Multietiquetas has invested in a new Nilpeter FB-14. The investment reinforces the company's commitment to staying at the forefront of label production, thereby enhancing its flexibility and production capacity. The association between the two companies spans generations and is built on shared values, family ownership, and a mutual dedication to quality, innovation, and long-term success.

Founded in 1979, Multietiquetas is a leading label manufacturer in Mexico, specializing in high-quality self-adhesive labels for a wide range of markets, including food and beverage, household, personal care and pharmaceuticals. The company operates with a strong emphasis on flexographic technology, a variety of substrates, and numerous finishing options.

'Our collaboration with Nilpeter has been essential in our growth. Their presses have opened doors to new markets and customers, enabling us to deliver labels that meet the highest quality standards. The FB-14, in particular, has provided us with the versatility to cater to diverse industry needs, from food and beverage to pharmaceuticals,' said Claudia Betancourt, CEO and owner of Multietiquetas.

Mexico, and especially Guadalajara, is a key market for Nilpeter. Over the years, Nilpeter has installed more than 250 presses in Guadalajara, underlining the region’s strategic importance and the trust placed in Nilpeter’s technology by local converters.

The relationship between Nilpeter and Multietiquetas stands as a strong example of what long-term partnerships can achieve. Both companies are family-owned and led with a generational perspective, focused not only on results today but on building something that lasts. As the industry evolves, so does the collaboration - with a shared vision for excellence in narrow-web printing and a continued drive toward new opportunities.

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3 months 1 week ago

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Multietiquetas installs Nilpeter FB-14 press

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The Mexican converter aims to propel its growth with the latest investment.

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Borsellino Impresos adds Nilpeter FA-22 to its fleet

Adyasha Sinha — Wed, 28 May 2025 08:45:59 +0000

Argentina-based Borsellino Impresos has added a third Nilpeter press, a new FA-22, to its existing fleet of machines. Pedro Borsellino and Luciano Borsellino, owners and brothers, visited Nilpeter headquarters in Slagelse, Denmark, for the successful Factory Acceptance Test of their brand-new press.

The new FA-22 marks a significant step forward in Borsellino’s production capabilities, opening the door to new opportunities in flexible packaging – a key part of their strategic growth.

The relationship between Borsellino and Nilpeter has spanned more than 15 years and has only grown stronger over time.

Borsellino Impresos, founded in 1956, is a family-owned and operated company with deep roots and a strong culture. Through the generations, it has grown its business on the foundation of hard work, constant evolution and a shared passion for quality in label and packaging production. Today, the company combines tradition and innovation in its modern facility in Rosario, Argentina, delivering tailored labels to leading brands across South America.

The collaboration with Borsellino not only reflects a strong mutual trust but also highlights Nilpeter’s continued commitment to the Latin American market.

'Working with the Borsellino family is a true pleasure. Their professionalism, values, and long-term mindset make them the suitable partner for Nilpeter. This latest investment confirms their confidence in our technology - and once again underlines Nilpeter’s strong position in South America,' says Rubens Wilmers, managing director of Nilpeter Brasil.

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Borsellino Impresos adds Nilpeter FA-22 to its fleet

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The Argentinian converter continues its association with the press manufacturer as it looks to expand into flexible packaging.

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E-magen acquires suite of Hybrid Software products

Piotr Wnuk — Tue, 13 May 2025 23:20:36 +0000

E-magen, a prominent player in pre-press services for flexographic printing in Argentina, has acquired a comprehensive suite of Hybrid Software products to offer greater transparency and precision at every stage of the printing process, from creation and editing to review, approval and final output.

With more than 20 years of tradition as a family-run company, E-magen has become a standout in Argentina’s flexographic printing industry, renowned for its commitment to quality and setting new standards in advancing technology.

Damián Petrola, vice president of E-magen, said: ‘Our solid organizational structure, combined with our highly skilled team, has earned us the trust of leading clients who recognize and support our commitment to excellence and innovation. Professionalism, a customer-focused mindset, and our relentless drive for continuous improvement have been key to our growth and leadership in the flexographic market.

‘Since the beginning, we’ve consistently upgraded our machinery, refined our processes, and embraced new technologies. Now, we see the need to take a bold step forward in software innovation—specifically to optimize our internal workflows, reduce repetitive tasks, and minimize human error through automation.’

E-magen selected Hybrid Software to provide a comprehensive software suite that ensures greater transparency and precision at every stage of the printing process, from creation and editing to review, approval and final output.

The suite includes Packz, a native, open-standard PDF editor tailored for the label and packaging market with the Packz Connector for GMG Color; CloudFlow, a secure, cloud-based platform that streamlines editing and approval processes for print shops, converters, and clients; Packzflow, designed to optimize workflow across all Packz-related tasks; and Proofscope, a comprehensive and secure HTML-based technology for creating digital proofs and enabling collaborative review.

E-magen also acquired Roundtrip, a tool that enables deeper integration with original Adobe Illustrator files. These files can now be opened directly in Packz while preserving their complete structure, including metadata and object hierarchies, ensuring seamless editing and workflow continuity.

In addition, the company announced strategic investments in Intelligent Flexo and Velvet Screening for flexo, two innovative Hybrid Software technologies designed to optimize screening patterns. These products reduce ink consumption while maintaining high-quality color fidelity and image quality. Specifically, Hybrid Software’s new Velvet screening pattern allows E-magen to configure parameters such as minimum dot size, resolution, and screen ruling directly within the prepress workflow, without limitations and in any combination.

‘We have acquired a comprehensive licensing package with the primary goal of optimizing internal communication, workflow tracking, and our prepress and approval processes,’ said Petrola. ‘In addition, Hybrid Software helps us to elevate our flexographic plate technology through Velvet Screening and the microtexturing capabilities of Intelligent Flexo. With the investment in these technologies, we’re strengthening our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, delivering greater efficiency, precision, and performance in all our processes.

‘This suite of tools will enhance our flexo plate technologies with the new Velvet Screening and the microtexturing capabilities of Intelligent Flexo. With these technologies, we are reinforcing our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, delivering more efficient and precise performance across all operations.’

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3 months 4 weeks ago

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E-magen acquires suite of Hybrid Software products

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An Argentine pre-press specialist invests in offering greater transparency and precision at every stage of the printing process.

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An Argentine pre-press specialist invests in offering greater transparency and precision at every stage of the printing process.

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