Heidelberg has wholly owned Gallus since August last year and Heidelberg UK has been selling Gallus’ packaging presses for the past two years.

The Gallus labels portfolio includes 12 reel-to-finished product machines as well as workflow, consumables and training packages.

The range will include the new DCS 340 hybrid conventional/inkjet printing press, which uses Fujifilm heads and was shown at Labelexpo in Brussels in September.

On 1 April, the start of Heidelberg’s financial year, three members of Gallus Group UK’s staff will transfer to Heidelberg’s service team, two to join sales and one to administration. Gallus’ Didsbury-based office will be sold.

Gallus labels business sales and services vice president Christof Naier said: “We see great opportunities by joining Heidelberg UK.

“It will combine the extensive expertise of the Gallus technicians with the structural and logistical benefits of operating within the Heidelberg organisation. This combination will allow us to significantly increase our service performance.”

Heidelberg UK presses specialist Matt Rockley added: “We have worked with labels printers for many years but this will spearhead a further push into that market.

“The technology is awesome and there are ongoing product developments, always with an eye to offering efficient and high quality products.

“Heidelberg’s knowledge of colour and workflows and its training facilities at the showroom in Brentford will be an asset with this development but equally we are keen to learn from the expert team who will transfer across to us.”

Gallus, which is headquartered at 8,700sqm premises in St Gallen, Switzerland, also has manufacturing units in Herisau, Switzerland and Langgöns, Germany.