Indusrty news from the region & around the world

Appointment of Dario Urbinati to the role of Chief Executive Officer Gallus

Gallus Group today announces the appointment of Dario Urbinati to the role of Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Dr. Frank Schaum, who will now head HEIDELBERG’s Print Segment. With 17 years of experience in the graphic arts industry and as its previous Chief Sales & Service Officer, Urbinati will continue to drive Gallus’ mission to turn the narrow web market towards a more sustainable and profitable future – providing revolutionary new technologies to achieve it, such as the recently launched Gallus One.

Urbinati comes to the role with significant experience of running label businesses, having served in senior positions with leading manufacturers around the world. Urbinati first joined Gallus in 2007, where he served nine years with the company – latterly as its Managing Director for Southeast Asia – driving growth and transforming the business and its culture. He then joined OMET China as its narrow/ mid web Managing Director, before becoming Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for ACTEGA Metal Print, where he was instrumental in launching and then commercializing its breakthrough sustainable metallization technology.

Commenting on his new role, Dario Urbinati said: “I am honored to take up the role of Gallus CEO. 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.”

Dr. Ludwin Monz, HEIDELBERG CEO, comments, “Dario has been responsible for refocusing the business against a very clear vision for the future of labels. 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 program, with a landmark pledge to make our products carbon neutral by the end of 2022. Gallus is an important pillar in the Heidelberg Group’s packaging business, which offers long term growth potential and, importantly, shares our commitment to quality – and we are delighted to have Dario lead this business. I would also like to thank Dr. Frank Schaum, previously the Gallus Group CEO, for his excellent leadership to date, and we are pleased that he will remain as Chairman of the Gallus board.”

Under Urbinati’s stewardship, the business is also building a ‘Gallus Experience Center’ in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Expected to open in Spring 2023, the new facility is part of his vision for realizing ‘the label industry of the future’. The new facility has been specifically designed to aid collaboration across the industry, inviting customers, brands and suppliers from throughout the entire ecosystem to meet and share solutions, as well as develop new ideas to help solve key industry issues and create new opportunities.

New chuck technology for winding and unwinding operations of paper and board manufacturers

Sonoco, a global leader in diversified packaging, developed a new chuck technology for winding and unwinding operations of paper and board manufacturers. The new technology offers significant runnability improvements for paper and board reels in the most demanding winding operations, especially in centre drum winders and special unwinding stands like sheeters as well as corrugators.

“To meet today’s challenges of paper and board manufacturers and to offer significant productivity improvements in a cost inflation environment, we developed a new generation of chucks exclusively with our partner,” said Markku Ronnila, Product Manager Paper Mill Cores in Europe. “Our new chuck technology is a step change in paper and board winding and eliminates typical problems such as vibration, torque transmission issues and chew-out. We called this innovative technology ViPer Chucks in reference to the improved VIbration PERformance.”

ViPer Chucks offer significant process improvements during winding runs, less vibration leading to reduced web-breaks or web-tension, overall faster winding speeds and reduced chew-out causing less abrasive dirt.

SPEED UP YOUR PROCESSES

with optical systems for UV curing and drying

Consequently, this avoids frequent chuck cleaning and saves employees’ working time.

The chucks also provide better torque transmission for heavy reel weights. The result allows for higher productivity due to significantly reduced process interruptions coming along with an improvement on process safety. Existing chucks can be easily replaced in a plug-and-play solution.

Are you ready to embrace the transformative tone of an unconventional shade?

Vibrating with vim and vigour is how Pantone has described its colour of the year, Viva Magenta 18-750. The unconventional shade for an unconventional time is ‘powerful and empowering’. Rooted in nature it descends from the red family and is expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.

Pantone goes on to say it is an assertive, but not aggressive, carmine red that does not boldly dominate but instead takes a ‘fist in a velvet glove’ approach. Exuding dynamism, the transformative red tone is capable of driving design to create a more positive future.

The strong colour echoes Pantone’s forecasted spring and summer 2023 top ten standout colours for London Fashion Week including Cherry Tomato, Blazing Yellow, Electric Blue Lemonade and Pink Cosmos. They integrate tradition and innovation marrying the need for brightness and vibrant positivity with quieting tinted tones. They embrace the freedom to colourfully express individuality without constraint.

Vivid colours form the foundations of some key trends set to dominate 2023. Among the ones that caught my eye are the following with their descriptions:

1. Acidic Hues This is not just about bright, sharp colours, it’s about colours that hurt your eyes. They are arresting and striking. They grab your attention. It is a trend rooted in science. It takes inspiration from testing acidic substances. The more acidic a substance, the brighter the colour gets.

2. Colourful Retro Bright colour pallets will combine with idyllic retro imagery as the 1990s revival and vintage visual trends of 2022 continue. Everything from posters to packaging will be imbued with a sense of nostalgia.

3. Silver Chrome This moody and dark trend subverts the status quo with its distorted, melted metallic look. The shade of silver can range from a dark or dull tone to a shiny silver metal. This colour trend is about stirring antiestablishment expression and pushing back on norms.

4. Rich Jewel Colours The rich jewel colours of 2023 are elegant, tonal and sensual. They are ushering in an interesting and chic era for colour in graphic design. Inspired by 1930s palettes, rich crimson, burnt orange, forest green or powdery lavender, offer a cosseting and indulgent quality. They allow colour to do the talking for high end branding or luxury packaging design.

5. Condensed Typography Simple neutral colour schemes or black and neon can be combined with condensed typography to create two very different results – to temper drama or escalate it. In 2023, in line with the move towards metaverse and futuristic styling, condensed fonts and compact typography will take centre stage.

Strong, vibrant colours that stir emotions are shaping the palette for 2023. Combined with the leading design trends they deliver an energised tone for the coming year. For Print Service Providers the accurate recreation of the shade, depth, and nuances of a colour is vital. Consistent repeatability is essential.