Urbinati formally took up the role from outgoing CEO Frank Schaum in early December. Schaum, now heading up Heidelberg’s print segment, will remain as chairman of the Gallus board.
Ludwin Monz, CEO of Gallus’ parent company Heidelberg, said Urbinati had impressed in his role as chief sales and service officer, which he had held from June 2021.
“Dario has been responsible for refocussing the business against a very clear vision for the future of labels,” he explained.
“This has meant resetting the business in important areas by increasing customer service and support, boosting sales and marketing activities and much more. He has also introduced an ambitious sustainability programme, with a landmark pledge to make our products carbon neutral by the end of 2022.”
Urbinati has spent the majority of his 17 years in the industry at Gallus. First joining the company in 2007, he worked his way up to being Gallus’ South-East Asia managing director before leaving to work first at OMET China’s narrow/mid web business, then at Actega, where he was involved in the launch and commercialisation of its sustainable metallisation technology.
Urbinati said he was “honoured” by his appointment as CEO of Gallus.
“This is a fantastic, growing, business with incredibly talented and committed people and, with the might of Heidelberg behind us, an exciting trajectory for the future.
“While our ongoing mission is to support the success of our customers in the field, our wider ambition is to provide dynamic technologies and services to secure the future of the narrow web industry.”
Gallus announced its first pure play inkjet label press in August 2022, the Gallus One. Promising “the most competitive” TCO, the UV print engine will feature four colours plus white at 1,200x1,200 dpi.
The company has likewise announced that its ‘Gallus Experience Center’ - a sort of collaboration space for the industry - will open in spring 2023 in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Further details about what Schaum's new role at Heidelberg will entail were unavailable at the time of writing.
