What are the key trends for the packaging industry and your customers?

Some are driven by brand owners, who are expecting much higher quality in terms of packaging. Our customers are really looking for break-through technologies and innovations that allow them to respond.

What are the challenges for Bobst?
Mainly, to penetrate emerging markets – India, China, south-east Asia and the Middle East – with the appropriate levels of technologies. Second, to rise the opportunities created by digitalpackaging.

You have said you are developing digital die-cutting technologies as well as digital printing.
Absolutely. Today, we already have digital solutions, but digital printing is a huge opportunity for us because we already serve three markets – packaging, corrugated and folding cartons – and all three will require digital solutions.

Are you working on those alone or with partners?
We are looking to working with partners as we are aware we need some expertise on these different technologies.

What is your timescale?
We already have a digital prototype and at our open house next summer we will present our digital press for corrugated board.

Are you also looking at digital die-cutting solutions, such as the Highcon product?
Absolutely. Highcon is certainly a good solution and it is very interesting to see what people can create. Bobst will certainly be part of this evolution.

What will be your Drupa take-away?
We’ve never seen as many brand owners coming to Drupa. This year we’ve seen quite a number come with our customers and they want to talk about the possibilities of the technologies and future trends. This is a wonderful evolution. Bobst is looking to work with partners to use their expertise on different digital technologies