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The future is ALSO what we make it to be · Christoph Gamper · CEO · DURST Group

What happens when AI, autonomous systems, and print production begin to merge? In this deep and highly philosophical conversation, Editor Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH speaks with Christoph Gamper from DURST about the future of print, automation, software, and human interaction with technology. Recorded at Expográfica in Guadalajara, the interview moves far beyond machinery and production equipment into questions about how value will be created in the future, how AI agents may negotiate production automatically, and why the next generation of print manufacturing could become increasingly autonomous.
Christoph Gamper explains why he believes print production will evolve toward “lights-out” manufacturing environments, where human roles shift from manual operation toward orchestration, architecture, and decision-making. The discussion explores labor shortages, autonomous logistics, AI-driven workflows, and why the future may depend less on closed software ecosystems and more on open, hardware-agnostic systems capable of dynamically connecting entire production environments. The conversation also introduces DURST’s vision behind “Kyveris,” a concept Christoph Gamper describes as a connection between human knowledge and AI-driven systems designed to create value for real people. Rather than focusing on software lock-ins or isolated ecosystems, the discussion centers on how decades of industrial knowledge can be translated into intelligent systems that help printers optimize production, improve efficiency, and rethink how print businesses operate. This is not simply a discussion about presses or automation. It is a conversation about leadership, technological optimism, the role of AI in manufacturing, and how the print industry may fundamentally change over the next decade.

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Marcus Weiss · CEO · Koenig & Bauer – Paper & Packaging | Member of the Group Management

In this interview, Morten B. Reitoft sits down with Markus Weiss for a discussion that starts with perspective rather than products. Stepping into a company with more than 200 years of history is one thing. Helping shape where it goes next is something else. Markus Weiss brings nearly two decades of experience from HP Inc., where he played a key role in developing digital print across regions, including EMEA. That background is evident in how he approaches the conversation. Change is not something to react to; it is something to manage, and often to lead. The discussion moves quickly beyond technologies. Because the reality, as Weiss explains, is that customers are not buying offset or digital, they are investing in applications, efficiency, and relevance. The challenge is not choosing one over the other, but understanding how they work together. Another important theme is complexity. Large organizations naturally develop silos across locations, technologies, and cultures. Breaking those silos and aligning around customer needs is easier said than done, but essential if companies want to stay competitive in a fast-changing market. There is also a clear acknowledgment of the financial reality. Innovation is not optional, especially for manufacturers operating in Europe. Balancing innovation with cost efficiency is a constant challenge, and one that requires both discipline and long-term thinking. Beyond strategy, the conversation also touches on leadership. Weiss emphasizes the importance of listening, encouraging direct feedback, and building strong relationships, both internally and with customers. It is a pragmatic approach shaped by experience in dynamic, often demanding environments. This is not a product-focused interview. It is a broader conversation about how to lead a company with deep industrial roots into a future defined by change. Watch the full interview with Markus Weiss to hear how experience, adaptability, and a clear focus on customer needs shape the direction of one of the industry’s most established companies.

Eric Vessels · Let’s talk about Reactor · Chief Experience Officer · Taktiful

A conversation that starts with “vibe” quickly turns into something much more fundamental. In this INKISH interview, Morten Reitoft sits down with Eric Vessels from Taktiful to explore what may very well define the next phase of the print industry. Taktiful isn’t just a company. It’s a community, a training platform, and—if you ask Eric—a mindset. One that moves beyond transactions and into something far more powerful: creating fans instead of customers. Because in a world where print has been heavily commoditized, differentiation is no longer about speed or price—it’s about value, emotion, and experience. The conversation dives deep into what Eric calls “the value era” of digital embellishment. While traditional print has optimized for efficiency, embellishment opens a completely different playbook—one where uniqueness drives margin, and where tactile experiences create emotional engagement that digital media simply cannot replicate. This is where print regains its superpower. Morten challenges the thinking, pushing into pricing strategies, psychology, and the industry’s tendency to undervalue its own capabilities. From market-variable pricing models to the psychology of touch, the discussion reveals how much opportunity is still left untapped—not because the technology isn’t there, but because the mindset often isn’t. The interview also introduces Taktiful’s latest development: Reactor. A 3D visualization tool designed to bridge one of the biggest gaps in embellishment—showing rather than telling. By transforming layered PDF files into interactive, photorealistic previews, Reactor enables sales teams and customers alike to see, feel, and understand the value before anything is printed. But beneath the tools and strategies lies something else. A clear belief that the print industry doesn’t need to become something new—it needs to rediscover what already makes it unique. The ability to create physical experiences that people can touch, feel, and emotionally connect with. As Eric puts it: don’t take yourself too seriously—but take the business seriously. And maybe that balance—between playfulness and purpose—is exactly what the industry needs right now. Eric Vessels: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericvessels/