Adhering to
perfection
Gravic Europe is a global leader in the development and manufacture of self-adhesive labels, high-precision die cutting services and durable goods identification. The company’s subsidiary, Gravic Hungary, is also active in virtually all areas of manufacturing with its diverse range of products and unrivalled expertise. Philip Yorke reports on a company that continues to lead the field in its many niche markets by providing innovative solutions and tailor-made customer services.
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ravic Hungary was founded in 2004 in Debrecen, a thriving university city located in the east of the country. This strategically important location is at the heart of Europe geographically, being just 30km from Romania, 100km from Slovakia and 110km from Ukraine. The company’s move into Hungary was also driven by the fact that much of Gravic’s business at that time involved the production of technical labels for mobile phone sim cards, batteries and components. Many of the world’s biggest consumer electronics companies were also moving to Hungary, including Nokia and Blackberry, as well as electronic component manufacturers such as Flextronics. However, with the increasingly competitive nature of the consumer electronics sector, and the growing trend of such companies to move to the cheapest labour markets, including China, Gravic decided to develop longer-term relationships with the automotive industry. This was already well established in Hungary as well as in its neighbouring countries. Today Gravic Hungary is growing at around 20 per cent per annum and has recently moved into an all-new, purpose built plant in Debrecen which, extending to over 1800 square metres, is more than two and a half times bigger than its existing facility in Debrecen. Following its consistent and on-going strong growth, Gravic is planning a further major investment in automated production lines at the same site.
Unique technologies Gravic Hungary, in association with its parent company Gravic Europe, has developed many new technologies that combine both conventional, digital printing and die-cutting, which makes it unique in the industry. Gravic manufactures labels and die-cut components in small or large volumes in combination with an infinite variety of substrates. Self-adhesive or otherwise, these labels can be supplied in rolls, or sheets, or even fan-folded to suit any specific layout. All planning is tailor-made to meet its clients’ individual requirements, in addition to offering them just-in-time delivery and cost-effective solutions. The many diverse markets served by Gravic include computing, household appliances, automotive, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage and transportation. However, the three main industries that the company serves in the automotive sector, which represents almost 20 per cent of its total sales, are industrial marketing by silk-screening, complexing (the fitting together of several component layers) and the cutting of technical pieces. Gravic also produces backlight filters, foam gaskets and technical adhesives. This expertise has made it possible for Gravic Hungary to enhance its position as a major Tier 2 supplier to the German car market. Industry Europe 81
