Smart Factories require Smart ERP solutions presented by CERM

Smart Factories need powerful MIS systems to automate & communicate, where is it going?

En Steffen Haaga · Director of Global Business Development · CERM · LabelExpo Barcelona 2025

Steffen Haaga · Director of Global Business Development · CERM · LabelExpo Barcelona 2025

Morten Reitoft from Inkish meets Steffen from CERM at LabelExpo 2025 in Barcelona. They discuss the number of Latin American printers, especially from Mexico, attending this year, and how both have recently invested in the region to expand their reach, seeing it as a fast-growing and promising market. Steffen notes that while global uncertainty has slowed some decision-making, European customers currently remain confident and are actively investing. He agrees that the current US uncertainty has, in some ways, strengthened European momentum, with many companies choosing to invest themselves out of potential crises. Steffen reflects on how challenges can drive innovation and how the industry must keep evolving. They then revisit CERM’s recent acquisition of Omikai about six months ago, which he says has gone very well — the teams work smoothly together, their cultures fit, and Omikai’s strong infrastructure, combined with CERM’s label expertise, is already showing results. While Omikai will continue serving commercial print, CERM plans to build label, packaging, and flexo capabilities on top of it rather than narrowing its scope, expecting this will strengthen the core platform overall. They also discuss how CERM’s partner ecosystem continues to grow, with new collaborations announced at the show, including those with MPS and Durst Group. This integration focus reduces manual touchpoints, improves cost control, and boosts production efficiency. Steffen concludes that CERM sees growth globally: in Europe, North America, and especially in emerging markets like Poland, Italy, Spain, and across Latin America, where they now also have local-language teams — a sign that their strategy is working.

En Andrew Strand · Business Development Manager · CERM ·  LabelExpo Barcelona 2025

Andrew Strand · Business Development Manager · CERM ·  LabelExpo Barcelona 2025

Pat McGrew from Inkish interviews Andrew Strang, Business Development Manager at CERM, during LabelExpo 2025 in Barcelona. Andrew explains that CERM has spent decades building an open software architecture and a strong network of integrations with industry partners, allowing them to serve as the backbone of MIS for label and packaging printers. Customers, he says, are looking for end-to-end workflows—systems that can seamlessly connect prepress, presses, finishing, and converting equipment to move jobs efficiently through production. He notes that while many companies want to partner with CERM, the choice of integrations is often driven by customer needs. A recent example is CERM’s newly launched two-way integration with Durst, which was developed in response to customer demand and is already live at several sites. Andrew describes how these collaborations often start with customer requests, then move into product team discussions and technical trials until stable connections are established. While many in the industry view CERM as just another MIS vendor, Andrew highlights their deep specialization: their heritage is in labels and flexible packaging, and they are now expanding into folding carton. Unlike generalist MIS systems, CERM focuses solely on this sector, meaning its R&D and support are entirely dedicated to the specific needs of label and packaging converters. He concludes that this singular focus makes CERM a strong fit for companies in this space, offering solutions built precisely for their workflows.

En Steffen Haaga · Director of Global Business Development · CERM

Steffen Haaga · Director of Global Business Development · CERM

At Labelexpo Guadalajara, CERM is present to showcase its growing commitment to the Latin American market, particularly Mexico. Steffen Haaga, representing the company, shares that this is his fourth visit to the country but the first time exhibiting at the show in Guadalajara. Previous visits revealed a vibrant and promising market, encouraging CERM to invest further and establish a stronger presence. Mexico has proven to be an exciting and significant region for the labels and packaging sector. With a large and growing population, increased demand for consumer goods, and a strong retail presence, the country offers substantial opportunities for companies like CERM. Some of the company’s largest and most impressive clients are based in Mexico, including Etiflex, a massive 500-employee printing facility in Mexico City, which stands out as one of the largest single-plant label operations. The conversation also touches on CERM’s recent acquisition of Swedish-based Omikai, a cloud-based MIS company. This strategic move is not just about expanding market reach but also about accelerating CERM’s technological development. Omikai’s advanced cloud architecture and highly capable team are expected to fast-track CERM’s cloud roadmap by several years. The synergy between the two companies is strong, both culturally and technically, making the integration a natural fit. Looking ahead, CERM sees significant potential in Mexico and across Spanish-speaking markets. With increased demand for automation and digital transformation in printing workflows, CERM is responding by building local capacity, including hiring support and implementation specialists in the region. The expectations for Labelexpo and beyond are high, driven by a belief in the region’s growth and a clear vision for supporting that growth with advanced solutions.

Es Esteban Garcia · Business Development Manager · CERM

Esteban Garcia · Business Development Manager · CERM

Language Spanish - Subtitles Spanish/English At LabelExpo Mexico, Esteban García represented CERM as their Business Development Manager for the United States, Mexico, South America, and Latin America. With his deep understanding of the industry, García shared CERM’s focused vision and the value their specialized software brings to companies in the label and packaging sector. CERM, a Belgian company with over 30 years of experience, develops software tailored specifically for businesses in labeling, flexible packaging, and corrugated cardboard. García emphasized that CERM deliberately concentrates on this niche, believing that actual value lies in specialization. “This is what we do,” he noted, underscoring the importance of doing one thing exceptionally well rather than spreading resources too thin. During the event, García highlighted the challenges many companies in the sector face—particularly labor shortages and competition from larger, more modern operations. In response, CERM’s software is designed to streamline workflows, reduce unnecessary steps, and capture key production data accurately. This efficiency empowers companies to remain competitive without overhauling their equipment or expanding their workforce. One of the CERM system's most compelling features is its ability to deliver real-time quotes in minutes—a critical need in today’s fast-paced business environment. García explained how CERM eliminates redundant data entry across the production process, allowing information to flow seamlessly from quoting to invoicing, including inventory and warehouse management. The result is a fully integrated solution that supports operational excellence. CERM is making its debut at LabelExpo Mexico after attending the event as a visitor. Pleased with the experience, the team returned to showcase their platform to companies that may not have had the opportunity to attend LabelExpo in Brussels or Chicago. The goal is to introduce more Latin American businesses to CERM’s capabilities through live demos and direct interaction. When asked about the company’s performance in the Mexican market, García reported positive momentum, noting strong client relationships in Mexico and South America. He expressed enthusiasm about the future, sharing that CERM’s regional team has already tripled in size during his five-year tenure and continues to expand rapidly. Looking ahead to 2025, García remains optimistic. “We are growing fast and doing very well,” he said, reinforcing CERM’s commitment to innovation and industry collaboration. As the conversation concluded, García invited all attendees at LabelExpo Mexico to visit the CERM stand. “We’re excited to meet more people from the industry and build new partnerships,” he added. Interviewer: Nayelli González Menéndez · Revista El Impresor

En #LearnWithUs MIS · CERM · Fran Boey & Steffen Haaga · REPLAY

#LearnWithUs MIS · CERM · Fran Boey & Steffen Haaga · REPLAY

CERM is by far one of the most thought-after MIS/ERP solutions among label converters - and as we have visited Converters who work with CERM, there is a reasonable reason for the choice. The demos are excellent, the software solves the challenges Converters have and then supports the product, and now the integration to Microsoft Power BI is giving customers options like never before. In this webinar, CERM has decided to focus on the BI functions and the 18 standard reporting tools provided in the optional solution. Fran Boey has a background in the BI-World, and guides us smoothly through how reports can be created, giving customers THE overview! LinkedIn Profile: Fran Boey https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-boey-951a08169/ Steffen Haaga https://www.linkedin.com/in/steffen-haaga-2b4942/

Aug 17 , 2023
CERM NV
O'Forty
8020 Oostkamp

Belgium
Tel. : 050 83 38 83
Email : geert.vandamme@cerm.net

Tue February 27th

En

Ralf Sammeck · PreDrupa FEB27TH

The conversation is between Morten and Ralf, who discuss Koenig & Bauer's participation at Drupa, which is highly significant in the printing and packaging industry. Ralf expresses his excitement about showcasing their latest technologies at Drupa, where they are among the largest exhibitors. Ralf highlights that Drupa is a platform for showcasing equipment and introducing digital innovations that could significantly impact the printing and packaging sectors. The company aims to demonstrate a comprehensive view of the future possibilities in these areas, including workflow solutions and digitalization, emphasizing its role as a full-spectrum provider capable of offering the best solutions to its customers, regardless of the technology (digital printing, conventional printing, flexo printing, etc.). The conversation also touches on the company's long history, over 200 years, and its continuous innovation, including forming partnerships with other industry leaders to stay at the forefront of technology. Ralf mentions their strategic focus on being a trusted advisor to their customers by offering a wide range of solutions tailored to their needs. Moreover, Ralf speaks about the company's focus on packaging and commercial printing markets, with investments in new technologies and workflow solutions aimed at reducing make-ready times, demonstrating a commitment to both sectors despite the perceived decline in commercial print. The digital transformation within the company and its offerings is highlighted as a critical component of its strategy, aiming to meet the evolving needs of its customers and the industry at large. Koenig & Bauer intends to showcase these advancements and solutions at Drupa, indicating a significant step towards the future of printing and packaging and inviting attendees to witness what they describe as a "firework" of innovation.