BOBST targets further growth in narrow and mid web market

Mex, Switzerland, 5^th February 2025

BOBST is targeting deeper penetration into the UK’s narrow and mid web market after hosting an open house event at its newly renovated facility in Redditch, where its myriad of printing capabilities for labels and flexible packaging were showcased.

The BOBST Label and Packaging Technology Open Day 2025, held in late January, provided an opportunity for the machinery manufacturer to highlight the full scope of its capabilities for narrow and mid web printing, and specifically where they are suited to the needs of UK converters. The BOBST ACCUCHECK inline inspection system, DigiFlexo automation features, oneECG expanded color gamut technology, and BOBST CONNECT platform are examples of the technologies developed to alleviate challenges printers are facing, from rising costs and staffing challenges to upgrading legacy equipment to maintain producitivty, optimizing throughput, and delivering consistently high-quality prints.

During the event, printers and supplier partners were given the opportunity to take a deep dive into the capabilities of BOBST’s cutting-edge technologies for labels and flexible packaging production. This focused on MASTER M6, a highly automated flexo line designed for profitable short run mid web flexible packaging printing but which has been widely adopted for labels.

A live demo of a such a press installed at the BOBST Competence Center in Firenze exampled integration with the BOBST CONNECT platform and utilization of inline automation features to minimize set-up time and waste, and execute job change on-the-fly to maximize throughput of saleable prints. Printing a flexible packaging job in CMYK+GOW, the press quickly got into full register automatically. A new-look interface has been developed that allows set-up and recall of tension and other process steps, alongside other job recipe parameters already covered, such as number of colors, registration, camera position, sleeve size, etc.

Application technology director Daragh Whelan led the demonstration of this technology from the BOBST site in Redditch, UK, while his colleagues Koen Vlieghe, Business Unit Director - NMW, and Steve Lakin, Area Sales Manager - Labels, UK, outlined the full scope of BOBST’S offer.

Mr Vlieghe said: “The narrow and mid web markets are ones we are heavily investing in. We want to be the market leader, and our wealth of high-end technologies position us perfectly to achieve that. With high-speed flexo lines, inkjet presses, and all-in-one platforms, we have built a portfolio tailored to the needs of converters that is suited for today and tomorrow. Whether seeking greater efficiency in their operations, embracing technology to overcome staffing issues, or seeking out compact solutions to provide all-in-one capabilities, our machines deliver this and more, complemented by the required level of support and service to support the market.”

This is reflected in a product portfolio that extends from the high-end, highly automated MASTER M6 and all-in-one digital-flexo platforms, to semi-servo shaft presses for high-volume process work. With Mr. Whelan noting around two thirds of the Pantone book can be hit using process colors when using BOBST’s proprietary oneECG technology, such a press is still a highly valuable commodity for many printers seeking to maintain business performance.

“Our portfolio is extensive and BOBST has got a product for every market and every customer, depending on their level of investment,” said Mr Lakin. “The build quality of BOBST presses is second to none and with our ongoing investment in the whole process, from pixel to print, we’re able to support UK printers in the continued evolution of their operations with cutting-edge technologies that are ready and available immediately to improve productivity, reduce waste, and tackle the many other other pain points converters are experiencing.”

Phil Baldwin, Technical Sales Manager, North Europe, said: “BOBST is known as a market leader in gravure printing and die-cutting for wide format packaging. Now we are growing as a supplier to the narrow and mid web market, with UK printers able to benefit from our vast experience, technical innovations, and array of solutions for flexo, digital, and all-in-one printing.”

For more on BOBST and its narrow and mid web product portfolio, visit www.bobst.com.

The release can be downloaded here:

About BOBST
​We are one of the world’s leading suppliers of substrate processing, printing and converting equipment and services for the label, flexible packaging, folding carton and corrugated board industries. Our vision is to shape the future of the packaging world based on four pillars: connectivity, digitalization, automation and sustainability.
​Founded in 1890 by Joseph Bobst in Lausanne, Switzerland, BOBST has a presence in more than 50 countries, runs 21 production facilities in 12 countries and employs more than 6 300 people around the world. The firm recorded a consolidated turnover of CHF 1.960 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Press contact:
​Gudrun Alex
​BOBST PR Representative
​Tel.: +49 211 58 58 66 66 ​
​Mobile: +49 160 48 41 439
​Email: gudrun.alex@bobst.com

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