Since the financial and economic crisis, there has been a trend towards more short-notice demand for label and folding carton printing machinery. This helped the Gallus Group put in a strong performance in the second half of 2014, achieving record sales in the final quarter with  a positive impact on earnings. Slowing growth in important emerging markets such as Brazil and China and the slump in demand caused by the political crises in parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East were compensated for by strong sales in the core European countries.

In September 2014, Gallus unveiled the Gallus DCS 340 to the global public. This is a digital label printing machine with a multi-colour inkjet module, developed in collaboration with Heidelberger Druckmaschinen and its inkjet technology partner, Fujifilm. This new solution for  small production runs and versioning label and packaging products will complement the existing range of machinery. It will be available as a complete system comprising a digital label printing machine with specially adapted consumables (including inks) as well as workflow solutions and service packages. The product will be launched in September 2015 at the Labelexpo trade fair.

Following the Swiss National Bank’s announcement on 15 January 2015 that the minimum exchange rate with the euro was being scrapped, initial cost-saving measures were quickly introduced in order to reduce the impact of the appreciation of the Swiss franc.The Group is maintaining its existing strategy of focusing on labels and folding cartons in the packaging segments, as well as expanding its digital printing machinery business and investing in innovations while continuing to optimise its costs.

The Gallus Group is the world market leader in the development, production and sale of narrow-web, reel-fed presses designed for label manufacturers. Its folding carton business offers a range of wide-web, reel-fed presses and die-cutters for the cost-effective in-line production of folding cartons and cardboard products. The machine portfolio is augmented by a broad range of screen printing plates (Gallus Screeny), globally decentralised service operations, and a broad offer of printing accessories and replacement parts. The comprehensive portfolio also includes consulting services provided by label experts in all relevant printing and process engineering tasks. The Gallus Group is member of the Heidelberg Group and employs around 560 people, of whom 260 are based in Switzerland.