ACTEGA Metal Print GmbH announced today that VollherbstDruck GmbH, one of the leading German label printers, will start up an EcoLeaf metallization unit with the help of A B Graphic International (ABG). Based on the company's previous experience in technology and market research, and its ability to offer the unique benefits of this technology to its customers first, the company expects the investment to pay for itself in just six months.
This first EcoLeaf order for ABG, which was recently announced as a global distribution partner of ACTEGA Metal Print, also represents the first joint beta site for both parties. The groundbreaking solution is scheduled to be installed as part of the A B Graphic Digicon Series 3 postpress machine in September at full autumn.
Thanks to the EcoLeaf system, Vollherbst will be able to offer an alternative to hot-foiling for the majority of its orders, thus enabling it to produce in a much more sustainable manner. In addition, the technology enables a variety of metallic colours and new fields of application.
Matthias Vollherbst, Managing Partner of VollherbstDruck GmbH, explains: "The sustainability benefits of EcoLeaf were the main reason for our investment. We already looked at the basic technology at drupa 2016 and recognized the great potential of this innovative technology back then".
"After ACTEGA took over the metallography from Landa, we got together and tested the technology. While hot foil has certain limitations, EcoLeaf allows us to metallize quickly and flexibly without the set-up times of foil stamping or embossing tools - and the quality is excellent. In addition, EcoLeaf is clearly designed to enable larger metallized surfaces in the future, which are not so easy to achieve with hot foiling. We see this as a further opportunity to expand our finishing options. But right from the start, this innovative technology should offer brand owners more options and be very well received by our customers.
Next year, VollherbstDruck GmbH will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The family-owned company, which has more than 110 employees and works with over 300 customers worldwide, has always placed great emphasis on innovation and customer service. True to this philosophy, the portfolio has been expanded in recent years to include consulting services for labels and other creative solutions such as Augmented Reality, so that the company no longer sees itself as a pure label printing company, but rather as a label specialist.
The company, which specialises in highly refined wines and spirits, currently exports 40% of its products - including labels for French cognac and South African wineries or the Swiss confectionery market.
"We see our most important task as offering our customers solutions to their problems," Vollherbst continues. "For most people, the challenge is to get consumers to reach for their - often not quite so cheap - product. The label is therefore increasingly demanded of it.
"With this in mind, EcoLeaf is the perfect solution. Customers we have spoken to are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to explore the creative potential of this solution and use it for themselves in the form of attractive product presentations.
According to Vollherbst, ABG's involvement in the beta test program has made the decision to buy even easier. There has been a long-standing, trusting relationship with AGB, and the quality of ABG's technology and customer service is greatly appreciated.
Matt Burton, Sales Director at A B Graphic, on his first EcoLeaf order: "I have known Matthias Vollherbst and his team for many years. Vollherbst is a model customer for us - a prime example of the great opportunities our industry offers and a perfect ambassador for our products. Given the unique advantages of EcoLeaf, we expect many more orders".
In the words of Jan Franz Allerkamp, Managing Director of ACTEGA Metal Print: "We are very pleased to have won Vollherbst as a customer! We are convinced that this extremely future-oriented company is ideally positioned to take our technology to the limit. We are excited to see how VollherbstDruck will break new ground in label design with EcoLeaf".
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