Heidelberg and Gallus gain momentum in US with 10 investments

Heidelberg North America and subsidiary Gallus Group will make their return to LOUPE Americas (formerly Labelexpo), September 15-17, 2026, in Chicago, IL, USA. Under the theme “Let’s Connect,” Heidelberg and Gallus (Booth 3524) invite attendees to discover how its latest technologies are helping converters move beyond fixed press configurations and build production environments that are customizable, scalable, and future-proof.

With more than 10 new press investments secured in the US since the start of its fiscal year on April 1, Gallus’ highly modular and flexible label printing solutions, under the System to Compose concept, are gaining significant momentum in the US.

The North American label market continues on a stable growth path. AWA Alexander Watson Associates projects the region for a steady 2% annual growth through 2028. US converters are translating that outlook into investment, too. This is reflected in the strong momentum Heidelberg and Gallus have seen since the start of its fiscal year. Converters have selected multiple presses across the portfolio, including the Gallus RCS, Gallus Labelmaster, Gallus One, and Gallus Five.

Hub Labels invests

Hub Labels of Hagerstown, MD, made one of the most recent investments. The converter has already succeeded with the company, as it is equipped with a Gallus EM 410, two Gallus EM510, two Gallus RCS 330, and an early adopter to the Gallus Labelfire 340 hybrid. Hub Labels recently signed for the newly launched Gallus Five.

At the heart of the Gallus Five is its hybrid concept: flexo and digital inkjet printing are combined on a single platform, further complemented by integrated embellishment and diecutting modules. Paired with the new Heidelberg Saphira UV05 ink set, the press reaches speeds of up to 100 m/m, significantly boosting overall productivity.

Thanks to its high pigmentation, less ink is required per job. This directly reduces ink consumption and contributes to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO). The inks are also fully LED-dryable, cutting energy consumption and making the Gallus Five a cost-effective solution for hybrid printing. Here, converters do not need to compromise on precision or color intensity.

Hub Labels will further benefit from the machine’s faster speeds and wider 17″ printing width. Hub Labels can then compete more effectively across a broader range of jobs while shifting shorter runs from its already established presses to the new platform. This will support them in optimizing utilization across the entire production floor.

“Purchasing the Gallus Five was an easy decision for us,” says Thomas Dahbura, owner, Hub Labels. “With the ability to color match between flexo and digital processes, we can mix technologies on a single job without compromise, and the little time needed for changing jobs on the hybrid platform is a real paradigm shift for high-SKU work. As a previous early adopter of the Gallus Labelfire 340 – which also combined two technologies on one platform, like the Gallus Five – we are excited to continue working with the Heidelberg and Gallus team, as they bring their latest technology to the US market and supports us, in future-proofing our operation with their flexible label solutions.”

System to Compose

The System to Compose concept will take center stage at LOUPE Americas. Gallus has designed the concept to give converters greater flexibility and scalability by enabling tailored production configurations. The concept also allows converters to add, adjust, and remove units from their Gallus system as business needs change. This offers greater compatibility across its product lines. Bringing the concept to life at the show, the Gallus machine configurator offers visitors an interactive way to explore custom machine combinations, application possibilities, and production workflows in real time, demonstrating the full potential of Gallus’ modular platform.

At the booth, visitors can “compose their own masterpiece” by selecting one of Gallus’s various machine models as the foundation. They can choose from the Gallus Labelmaster to its latest digital and hybrid models, the Gallus One and Gallus Five. Users can customize the configuration to meet their unique production needs.

Also on display at LOUPE, Heidelberg and Gallus will showcase the newest Screeny screen printing unit. Experts will highlight its performance, precision, and quality capabilities for high-value label applications.

“We’re at an exciting point for the industry, as more converters recognize that modularity and flexibility are exactly what they need to thrive in a changing market,” comments Dario Urbinati, CEO, Gallus. “LOUPE Americas 2026 gives us a valuable opportunity to connect with more customers in the US and show how Gallus, together with Heidelberg, can help them build more agile, efficient, and future-ready production environments.”