Customers Want Even More Automated Factories · Hans Gut · VP Marketing & Partnering · Hunkeler

At the Think Smart Factory event in Kyoto, we got the chance to talk to VP Marketing & Partnering, Hans Gut from Hunkeler. Hunkeler and Horizon have been working together for years, and of course, it makes sense for both companies to exhibit at each other’s events like Think Smart Factory and Hunkeler Innovationdays. Where Hunkeler has focused on reel-based finishing equipment, Horizon has focused on sheets – and of course, their equipment interfaces with both printers, and other finishing equipment.

In this interview, Hans Gut speaks about the automation opportunities, and that the need for even more automation is a huge demand from printers.

Enjoy this interview!

En Hans Gut · Head of Global Partnering · Hunkeler/Müller Martini · Power to Move

Hans Gut · Head of Global Partnering · Hunkeler/Müller Martini · Power to Move

At Canon's Power to Move event in Venlo, Morten Reitoft speaks with Hans Gut, one of the most respected figures in the finishing and postpress industry. With decades of experience helping shape the evolution of print production, Gut shares his perspective on the industry's transformation and the increasingly important relationship between printing, workflow, automation, and finishing. As production environments become more digital and more connected, the role of finishing has evolved from a downstream process into a critical component of the overall manufacturing workflow. The conversation explores how companies such as Hunkeler and Müller Martini continue to adapt to changing market demands, shorter run lengths, greater personalization, and the need for ever-higher levels of automation. Gut discusses why integration between printing and finishing is becoming essential for achieving productivity, quality, and profitability in modern print operations. The interview also touches on industry consolidation, technological innovation, and the opportunities created by digital printing technologies that continue to expand into new applications and markets. Throughout the discussion, Gut offers valuable insights gained from a lifetime spent helping customers improve production efficiency and build sustainable businesses. As always, Hans Gut combines strategic vision with practical experience, making this a fascinating conversation about where the industry has come from—and where it may be heading next.