{"id":18721,"date":"2025-07-31T12:38:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T12:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/?p=18721"},"modified":"2025-08-20T13:37:20","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T13:37:20","slug":"bobst-ramps-up-label-division-in-response-to-increased-market-activity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/31\/bobst-ramps-up-label-division-in-response-to-increased-market-activity\/","title":{"rendered":"BOBST Ramps Up Label Division in Response to Increased Market Activity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the label and packaging industry navigates a period of rapid and extensive change, strategic leadership has never been more crucial. We spoke to Jordi Giralt<\/strong>, our new Technology Sales Director- for BOBST Labels, whose extensive experience across the sector gives him a clear view of where the market is headed, and how technology partners can deliver real value. Here, he shares a fresh perspective on industry trends, the role of innovation, and what it takes to build meaningful, long-term relationships with label converters.

1. Can you tell us a bit about your career journey and what led you to join BOBST?<\/strong>
\u201cMy professional journey began as a young engineer\u00a0at my family\u2019s company, which specialized in the manufacturing of narrow web printing presses,\u201d said Jordi. \u201cThis initial experience provided me with a solid foundation in industrial technology, product development, and the inner workings of a specialized manufacturing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuilding on this early exposure, I broadened my horizons and pursued opportunities beyond the family firm. Over the years, I have worked for some of the most prestigious companies in the printing and packaging sector. In each of these roles, I have consistently held positions with either regional or global responsibilities, allowing me to develop a deep understanding of international markets, complex supply chains, and strategic business development.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jordi\u2019s background is similar to that of many among the leaders reshaping the packaging sector. The growing complexity of the packaging industry, marked by rapid technological changes and increasingly globalized supply chains, means leaders with a blend of hands-on technical experience and broad strategic vision are in high demand. Leveraging the ongoing digital transformation in packaging will increasingly require this blend of skills if businesses are to deliver on sustainability, speed, and efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. You’ve been part of the label and packaging industry for a while \u2013 what major changes have you witnessed over the past few years?<\/strong>
Recent years have seen a seismic shift in the global label and packaging landscape. New technologies like RFID, NFC, and QR codes are transforming labels into interactive platforms that offer enhanced consumer engagement and anti-counterfeiting tools. Sustainability is also playing a pivotal role in this transformation, while regulatory changes are forcing companies to rethink label design for clarity and compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOver the past few decades, the label and packaging industry has undergone significant transformations driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and growing environmental concerns,\u201d commented Jordi. \u201cIt certainly includes a broad spectrum of topics, such as digital printing and customization, including the integration of all types of technology leading the development of smart labels and packaging, premiumization due to the need of brand differentiation, sustainability, e-commerce, a growing presence of stricter regulations and of course, any type of automation to increase the efficiency across the entire supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Where do you think the future of flexo and digital label printing is headed?<\/strong>
\u201cFlexo is evolving, while digital printing is expanding,\u201d said Jordi. \u201cWe will see in flexo a much higher level of automation, higher quality and efficiency and more sustainable practices, while digital will keep pushing the boundaries of flexibility and value-added services. We can foresee a future where rather one technology replacing the other, it will move towards integration and hybridization, having the efficiency of flexo and the flexibility of digital.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industry data reinforces this claim about the rise of digital printing. By 2029, predictions suggest that almost 10% of all label volume and over a quarter of label value will be digitally printed as printers embrace the financial and operational benefits of digital processes.\u00a0Integrating digital and flexo-hybrid presses will enable converters to more efficiently handle both short, customized runs and high-volume jobs, maximizing their flexibility and ROI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Automation is another key driver, with AI and machine learning enabling end-to-end ecosystems that streamline everything from design to production to reduce waste, errors, and setup times. This hybridization is crucial for supporting the growing trends towards personalization and traceability, while also meeting the growing demand for more sustainable, low-waste operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. What areas do you believe BOBST is uniquely positioned to lead in?<\/strong>
Recent years have seen BOBST focus on aligning with the industry\u2019s move towards fully integrated, connected production environments, which Jordi explains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBOBST is very well positioned to lead the label segment in several key areas, thanks to its comprehensive technology portfolio, deep industry expertise, and strategic focus on innovation, automation, and service support,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are very well positioned in the flexo segment, while at the same time we are at the forefront of hybrid press development, which for us is called \u2018All in One\u2019, because all components come from the same company. Our end-to-end workflow integration, which creates a fully connected ecosystem, together with our leadership in sustainability, puts us in a very unique position to develop our AIO solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a single-source solution for hybrid, digital, and flexo technologies, BOBST simplifies the supply chain for converters, reducing complexity and enabling rapid adaptation to market changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. What are the key challenges you believe label converters are facing today\u2014and how can BOBST respond?<\/strong>
Today\u2019s converters frequently find themselves grappling with inflation-driven material costs, rising regulatory compliance demands, and the need for rapid, small-batch production to serve e-commerce and personalized marketing campaigns. The ongoing labor shortage presents another issue, one that automated, intuitive machine interfaces can go some way towards addressing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability is another critical challenge: converters must now demonstrate the recyclability or compostability of their labels, use responsibly sourced materials, and minimize waste throughout the process. BOBST\u2019s solutions, which support the use of recycled content and biodegradable adhesives, help converters meet these evolving standards while maintaining operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBOBST responds with highly automated, efficient solutions that reduce waste, energy use, and setup times,\u201d said Jordi. \u201cOur solutions enable fast turnarounds and flexible production, with user-friendly interfaces, smart workflows, and sustainability-driven innovations to help converters stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. What are customers not<\/em> talking about enough \u2013 but should be?<\/strong>
The next frontier for the label industry lies in the full-scale adoption of digital transformation\u2014connecting every step of the process, from design to delivery, through cloud-based platforms and IoT-enabled devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLabel converters aren\u2019t talking enough about data, connectivity, and AI,\u201d said Jordi. \u201cLeveraging real-time production data and AI-driven analytics can unlock major gains in efficiency, quality, and predictive maintenance. There’s also a lack of focus on end-to-end digital transformation\u2014beyond just printing\u2014and on proactively preparing for upcoming sustainability regulations. Embracing smart, connected systems now is key to staying competitive tomorrow. Tools like our BOBST Connect enable smarter decisions, predictive maintenance, and full digital integration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As regulatory pressures mount\u2014particularly around transparency, traceability, and sustainability\u2014data-driven systems will be essential for documentation and reporting. BOBST Connect exemplifies these capabilities, offering converters a pathway to smarter, more resilient operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. What\u2019s your approach to building stronger, long-term partnerships with BOBST customers around the world?<\/strong>
Long-term success in today\u2019s packaging industry increasingly depends on collaborative, strategic partnerships rather than transactional supplier relationships, as Jordi explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLong-term partnerships grow when customers see BOBST as a strategic ally, not just a supplier,\u201d he said. \u201cI believe in staying close, offering consistent support through BOBST\u2019s global network, and ensuring value beyond the initial sale through training, data insights, and ongoing innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BOBST\u2019s global presence and commitment to customer success\u2014through training programs, real-time data insights, and continuous innovation\u2014mirror the industry\u2019s shift toward partnership-driven business models. This approach ensures that converters are not just keeping pace with change, but are positioned to lead in areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, and supply chain resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By investing in these relationships, BOBST helps its customers navigate uncertainty, seize new opportunities, and build lasting competitive advantage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the label and packaging industry navigates a period of rapid and extensive change, strategic leadership has never been more crucial. We spoke to Jordi Giralt, our new Technology Sales Director- for BOBST Labels, whose extensive experience across the sector gives him a clear view of where the market is headed, and how technology partners<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18725,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[140],"class_list":{"0":"post-18721","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-print-labelling","8":"tag-bobst"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18721","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18721"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18721\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18723,"href":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18721\/revisions\/18723"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18721"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18721"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpmirror.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18721"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}