QuaLabels in Ethiopia has acquired a Bobst shaftless gravure printing press to expand its business and deliver world-class labels and packaging to local and global brand owners in the beer, soft drinks, snacks, personal care and home care markets. The strategic investment with Bobst is not only distinguishing QuaLabels from local competitors but also paving the way for growth in a challenging climate.

In realizing its vision, QuaLabels Manufacturers Plc has installed the first Bobst gravure press in Ethiopia. In fact, the new company’s machine is the first of its kind from any European manufacturer, a testament to the mission to “be the most trusted and reliable local partner with outstanding customer service and on-time delivery, at the most competitive price.”

The Ethiopian market leader in beer labels, QuaLabels was founded in 2016 by chairman and CEO Brook Worku. Committed to high quality and great customer service, the company operates a modern, food-certified plant in Legettafo town, 10 miles north of Addis Ababa. Serving customers including (but not limited to) The Coca-Cola Company, Heineken NV, PepsiCo Inc, and Unilever plc, it specializes in primary and secondary packaging mainly for the food and beverage, detergent, and confectionery markets.

“We have worked very hard over the past seven years and established a great reputation for exceptional quality, while building customer confidence, having consistently and constantly honored our commitments, without any excuses,” says Worku. “Beyond this, our reputation is also based on the positive impact we are making in the local communities through building schools for children.”

The decision to boost QuaLabels’ printing department with new gravure technology was made several years ago. Worku first started to investigate the market opportunities during a visit in Europe in 2018, where he became acquainted with Bobst. After an initial meeting and further discussions, he decided that a Bobst gravure printing press for flexible materials would be the right choice for his company.

He concludes, “We are a dynamic company with strong ambitions, focused on long-term success, so we need to make investment decisions that offer sustainable growth with reliable support systems. It was evident that BOBST is the market leader with decades of experience in gravure printing. The current discussions about our expansion plans with new Bobst machines is a true testimony of a satisfied customer.”

Installed during the pandemic, the shaftless gravure printing press has been designed specifically with sleeve print cylinders for fast and efficient operation. The gravure press also features very precise web tension control, high-performance dual technology dryers, and Registron register control. As standard, it is fitted with the TAPS fully automatic pre-register function, which makes setup as simple as pressing a button. These technologies enable QuaLabels to produce both short and long runs on a wide range of materials with less waste.