LabelExpo Europe in Brussels is the most important global show in the label industry, but the maybe more correct "label" would be flexible, packaging, label, mid-web industry, nevertheless, in this Bonjour, James Quirk and Morten B. Reitoft speculate about all the interesting trends and technologies we expect to see the next days. Stay tuned for a lot of interviews and presentations.

Yet another interesting Bonjour - this time with David Schmedding from Heidelberg and Yoshihiro Oe from Horizon International. Interesting chat led by Jean Lloyd and Morten B. Reitoft - enjoy!

Danny Bakker (Fujifilm), Matthias Annaheim (Hunkeler/Müller Martini) & Antonie Reinhart (Kurz) accepted our invite for a very special Bonjour at Hunkeler Innovationdays where they in a very open and interesting conversation with Editor Morten B. Reitoft talk about being young in the industry. This can only be the beginning of a deeper discussion. GREAT, and thank you all for participating!

Great to have Barbara McManus and Volker Leonhardt together. HP and Müller Martini are close partners which is emphasized in this casual, yet super great Bonjour session, hosted by Jean Lloyd and Pat McGrew

It's always interesting to learn from Bodo Tegtmeier. Here, we hear about the new version of the highly popular Cobostack and the new folder K8i—super interesting!

I had dinner with my family. And in fact, we ordered a home delivery. One lesson is 'nothing is as constant as change'. This is the MASTERCUT 106 PER. And the MASTERCUT is special for two reasons. It can put more than 50 million sheets on the floor in a year. Then it is equipped with functions to liberate the operator from manual work. It has a very high degree of automation. But in the end, it's all about quality, cost and time. I think the best strategy is to establish your own future yourself. So, it links the tool with the die-cutting machine. And you can see in this picture there's a little front of the tool. There's a very little RFID chip. The tool can be linked directly to the correct recipient. So that the operator does not need to look into the many thousand recipients which might be existing on a die-cutter machine. Or the good one. Quality is not negotiable. So, the question is how to ensure that the right quality comes out of a particular machine. The ACCUCHECK is not only able to check the text, or the color, or the completeness of the print. But it is also able to quality control and embossing or de-bossing. And metallized surface. DIT means Digital Inspection Table. It also takes the original layout, and it produces with projectors a digital image on the table surface. I took it because we are also working on new digital-cutting solutions. So that I can introduce some digital BOBST laser cutter. The Swiss Chalet is a restaurant. And coming back to our food delivery, which we talked about in the beginning. How to get out of the pandemic is also the outlook. We will be all ready to go back to our famous restaurant. And have a beer together and enjoy it together.

Technology Sales Director Nigel Tracey talks with Editor Morten B. Reitoft about several different topics in this interview. How is BOBST perceived by its customers? How does BOBST communicate so many types of products? What about sustainability? In this interview you get the real answers in a nice and openminded conversation - we are certain you will like this!

Sometimes you meet skilled people. Sometimes you meet successful people. You sometimes find funny people, and with John McLaughlin, you got all three - this was fun. An exciting company based in Canada and a current customer of the BOBST Mouvent LB702 and LB701. Enjoy!

Every time we have an opportunity to talk to Bob Raus, we take it - not only is Bob Raus very knowledgeable, but he also has the ability to make things understandable - so listen to him. At PreDrupa he explains about the four pillars are founded of.

No question that printed packaging is a growing business. In this 26th episode of Print Sample TV, host Pat McGrew shows you a corrugated box printed on both sides making the unboxing an experience as well. In the 'case' the box comes from Birddogs who use the inner side of the box to present customer testimonials. Great idea, and with digital print, this is even an opportunity with short run. We like it! Do you?

At Printpack India 2025, Wayne Beckett speaks with Bijendra Sharma, Managing Director of BHS India, about the company’s journey in the Indian market and its role in driving automation and sustainability in the corrugated packaging industry. Founded in Germany in 1717, BHS entered India in 2011 and has since grown to establish a strong foothold, with 24 running corrugators and a new manufacturing plant for corrugating rolls set to be operational by mid-year. Sharma highlights the rapid expansion of the Indian corrugated market, where approximately 12,000 million square meters of board is produced annually. Despite having around 10,000 corrugators, 95% of them are still semi-automatic or manual. He explains how BHS, initially perceived as too expensive for the Indian market, has proven the value of advanced technology, helping businesses improve efficiency, product quality, and competitiveness. The conversation explores India’s economic boom, growing infrastructure, and government initiatives such as the ban on single-use plastics, which is accelerating demand for sustainable, recyclable packaging. With India set to become the third-largest global economy by 2027, the need for high-quality corrugated boxes is stronger than ever, particularly with the rise of e-commerce and evolving consumer buying patterns. For those interested in the future of automated corrugated production and sustainable packaging in India, this discussion provides key insights into BHS India’s growth strategy and the broader industry trends shaping the market.

We met Hamillroad Software for the first time at LabelExpo back before COVID. Here is a link to the interview we did at the time https://inkish.tv/inkish-video/andy-cave/ In this film, Danielle Kinsella explains the advantages of using Hamillroad's DMS technology for improved quality. Now Hamillroad is part of the EcoFlexo group. Each member remains an independent company but can offer end-to-end solutions by working together. EcoFlexo has the following members besides Hamillroad - GEW, COE, MPS, and Zeller + GMelin. We produced a film from each EcoFlexo member while we were together in The Netherlands Danielle Kinsella is not working for Hamillroad anymore, but Danielle Kinsella and Hamillroad agreed to push the film anyway! For further information, visit the EcoFlexo website: www.ecoflexo.net

Technology development in the graphics arts sector is in full expansion. Smart factory, Print Industrie 4.0 focuses on digital technologies that stimulate the inter-connectivity between printing companies, promote and bring them together with “strategic” partners. Classic models that acted as intermediaries between supply and demand, buyers and sellers, are being replaced by scenarios of transparent networked digital technology. The result: Suppliers, producers and consumers find each other (to a large extent) automatically. Business processes, services, product offering and communication will also become transparent and interactive in equal measure. What does this mean in concrete terms for the graphics industry in the Benelux and in Europe? INTERVIEW with some of the speakers at the VIGC congress 2020 Jan De Roeck (Marketing Director ESKO) Dirk Deroo ( Founder & CEO Dataline solutions) Toon Van Rossum ( Product Manager Enfocus) Jos Steutelings ( Managing Director VIGC ) *Next year’s VIGC CONGRESS is scheduled for October 14th 2021. --- NL: De technologieontwikkeling in de grafische sector is in volle expansie. Smart factory, Print Industrie 4.0 legt de focus op digitale technologieën die de inter-connectiviteit van grafische bedrijven onderling, en die met “strategische” partners bevorderen en samenbrengen. Klassieke modellen die fungeerden als intermediair tussen vraag en aanbod, kopers en verkopers, worden vervangen door scenario’s van transparant genetwerkte digitale technologie. Het resultaat: Leveranciers, producenten en consumenten vinden elkaar (voor een groot deel) automatisch. Bedrijfsprocessen, diensten, productaanbod en communicatie worden in gelijke mate ook transparant en interactief. Wat betekent dit nu concreet voor de grafische industrie in de Benelux en in Europa? INTERVIEW met enkele sprekers van het VIGC congres 2020 Jan De Roeck (Marketing Director ESKO) Dirk Deroo ( Founder & CEO Dataline solutions) Toon Van Rossum ( Product Manager Enfocus) Jos Steutelings ( Managing Director VIGC ) * Het VIGC-CONGRES van volgend jaar staat gepland op 14 oktober 2021.

Asking one of Europe's leading prepress houses whether plates/sleeves or machines are more important is maybe unfair; however, the answer is interesting. As GM Torben Segelken says: you can print great quality on an old machine if the plates are perfect, but you can't produce excellence with bad plates on a new machine, and so it is, of course. Carl Osterman Erben, or COE, is more than 120 years old and has, since its origin, focused on becoming the best prepress house in Europe. Now COE is part of the EcoFlexo group. Each member remains an independent company but can offer end-to-end solutions by working together. EcoFlexo has the following members besides COE - Hamillroad, GEW, MPS, and Zeller + GMelin. We produced a film from each EcoFlexo member while in The Netherlands. For further information, visit the EcoFlexo website: www.ecoflexo.net

Being at drupa is, of course, a super experience, and when people ask what I find most interesting - it's super difficult. Besides the people, I got an a-ha experience yesterday when passing through the Fujifilm booth, where they showed both a fluorescent green toner but also a one-time adhesive "toner" that enables the printer to produce glued products inline. Is this better than a new press or binding equipment - no - but you find innovations everywhere that won't get much exposure - this was a fun and creative find!

Interview in Dutch - subtitles in English. We starten onze reeks - de VIGC talks from drupa 2024 - bij Hybrid Software en hebben een toffe babbel met Bert van der Perre, hun Associate Director of Sales. Wie hebben het o.a. over 3D visualisatie oplossingen, SaaS, grafische automatisaties en natuurlijk ook over één van hun stokpaardjes, Workflow. Enjoy. -- EN -- We start our series - the VIGC talks from drupa 2024 - at Hybrid Software and have a great chat with Bert van der Perre, their Associate Director of Sales. We talk about 3D visualization solutions, SaaS, graphic automation and of course also about one of their favorite subjects, Workflow. Enjoy.

Our ‘Always on Tour’ adventure this time led us to Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, with our partners at Koenig & Bauer. The drive from our previous filming location was a feast for the eyes – breathtaking scenery and the unique experience of seeing Amish communities. Arriving in Sinking Spring with no preconceived notions, we were suddenly met with the impressive sight of GRAFIKA, a massive printing operation. Stepping inside, we saw many familiar names among those who'd already visited GRAFIKA. Soon, Bernie Elzer III himself warmly welcomed us. This place is a printer's dream—the Latest Koenig & Bauer presses stand next to other manufacturers' printing (like Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG) and post-press equipment (like BOBST). Schur logistics systems were also being integrated, further enhancing their capabilities. Grafika has so much momentum. Elzer III's vision is evident, and his recent investment in a fully loaded Rapida 106 from Koenig & Bauer speaks volumes about his confidence in the future of offset printing. GRAFIKA is simply outstanding. We're thrilled to have experienced it firsthand and are certain we've made lifelong friends!

Conversations are among our most popular formats on INKISH, and in this episode, the member of the manroland sheetfed board Bernhard Schaaf takes time to share his insights with Robert Godwin. LinkedIn Profile

Over the Skype with Bernhard Cantzler, Head of Marketing & Innovation UFP, Mondi Group Based in Vienna, Austria, Bernhard Cantzler is an excellent, internationally experienced specialist in print, packaging, marketing & communication in the digital age. During his studies he came into contact with Mondi in Russia. He had his first professional experience at Mondi with paper for digital printing, especially for inkjet productions. Andreas Weber, CEO / Country Manager INKISH D-A-CH, was particularly interested in this over the Skype conversation: Your tasks have expanded considerably in recent years. And especially now with COVID-19: What are you currently doing? How does that affect the market? What does the postponing of drupa 2020 mean for M? How do you see digital and analog? What influence does digitalization have on your work? What trends do you see and what influence does or will it have on Mondi’s offer? Note: As with all of our “Over the Skype” interviews, the picture / sound quality is based on the available bandwidth and the respective web cams as well as the possibility to literally conduct the conversations LIVE. Despite everything, it works amazingly well and with Over the Skype we have brought together far more than 50 special personalities so far and give insights into the industry as it currently is. Enjoy! Over the Skype mit Bernhard Cantzler, Head of Marketing & Innovation UFP, Mondi Group Blick nach Wien: Bernhard Cantzler ist ein exzellenter, international erfahrener Fachmann in Sachen Print, Packaging, Marketing & Kommunikation im Digitalzeitalter. Schon während des Studiums kam er in Russland mit Mondi in Kontakt. Seine ersten beruflichen Erfahrungen machte er bei Mondi mit Papier für den Digitaldruck, gerade auch für Inkjet-Produktionen. Folgendes interessierte Andreas Weber, CEO/Country Manager INKISH D-A-CH, ganz besonders in diesem Over the Skype-Gespräch: In den letzten Jahren haben sich ihre Aufgaben stark erweitert. Und speziell jetzt durch COVID-19: Was beschäftigt Sie derzeit? Wie wirkt sich das auf den Markt aus? Was bedeutet für Mondi die Verschiebung der drupa? In welchem Verhältnis sehen Sie digital und analog? Welchen Einfluss hat die Digitalisierung auf Ihre Arbeit? Welche Trends sehen Sie und welchen Einfluss zeigt oder wird es zeigen auf das Angebot von Mondi? Hinweis: Wie bei allen unseren “Over the Skype”-Interviews richtet sich die Bild-/Ton-Qualität nach verfügbarer Bandbreite und den jeweiligen Web-Cams aus sowie der Möglichkeit, die Konversationen buchstäblich LIVE zu führen. Es funktioniert trotz allem erstaunlich gut und mit Over the Skype bringen wir bis dato weit mehr als 50 besondere Persönlichkeiten zusammen und geben Einblicke in die Branche, wie sie derzeit ist. Viel Spaß!

Bernard Cantzler has a new job within Mondi Group, and we wanted to ask him what difference it makes for him, the market, and the customers - and here we are! With 18 years of experience in the Americas, Australia, and, obviously, Europe, Cantzler knows the industry. His friend said to him 18 years ago, Why not a Finish mobile phone company rather than the paper industry - Funny enough, Mondi is still here :-) Enjoy!

Bernd Zipper is a well-known name in the printing industry. With his ZIPCON Consulting out of Germany, the writer, consultant, keynote speaker, event organizer, and more, have influenced the printing industry more than most. With a dedicated focus on online printing as well as the newest and latest technologies, how to bring print forward - you can be sure that Bernd Zipper and his team are on the forefront. As with all our ‘Over the Skype’ interviews, quality is limited to bandwidth, web-cams, and ability to literally LIVE mix the conversations. However, it works, and with Over the Skype, we will bring you more than 20 exciting people, and angles on the industry as it is right now. Enjoy!

I ask Bernd if #HID25 is the future of print - and this leads to an interesting talk about why, for example, the Online Print Symposium that takes place annually in Munich is a super interesting addendum. If Innovationdays is about hardware, software, and network, then OPS adds the business models and presentations of companies utilizing the technology - and I agree. HID is very much about finding technology that supports your business, and though HID, naturally, also is about business models, as the technology is the enabler, the different focuses are first and foremost right and secondly complimentary. By the way, the next OPS is already April 3-4, so if you haven't signed up, secure your seat now.

INKISH loves to hear about opinions and strategies from industry leaders. In this too short interview with Benoit Chatelard, President of Flint group Digital & Xeikon CEO we get to hear about the importance and relevance of the different printing technologies they bring to the market and why they are doing a show like Xeikon Café. A great interview in an open spirit and I feel confident that we will have more interesting stories and initiatives from XEIKON to report on in the future! Enjoy!

Benjamin Bösch joined Koenig & Bauer Durst just weeks before this interview. Still, with a background from manroland, HP, Landa, and now Koenig & Bauer Durst, we, of course, had to ask him if his the 'living evidence of the digital transformation,' - and here we go. Will the increased digital transformation in packaging also change how sales are done, and will that commoditize the market? We are excited to see Benjamin Bösch with Koenig & Bauer, and hopefully we will get more chances to talk to him in the future. Enjoy!