Carby Label expands into flexible packaging with fourth Lombardi press

The transition from traditional label production to mid-web flexible packaging continues to gain momentum among converters seeking to capture higher-margin markets. In a move that underscores this strategic industry trend, Italian label and packaging converter Carby Label has acquired its fourth press from Lombardi Converting Machinery. The investment centers on the Invicta i1 670 inline flexographic press, set to be installed at the company’s production facility in Casamassima, near Bari, Italy.

Strategic shift toward flexible packaging

The strategic acquisition is explicitly aimed at expanding Carby Label's capabilities within the flexible packaging segment, with a particular focus on the fruit and vegetable packaging market. By integrating a 670 mm web width, the new equipment allows the converter to bridge the gap between conventional narrow-web label work and broader flexible packaging applications. This footprint provides a critical advantage: it enables the company to enter new markets without sacrificing the established efficiencies and familiar workflows of inline flexographic printing.

According to the company, this installation will effectively double its production capacity in the targeted segment. Anna Carbonara, marketing manager at Carby Label, stated that the decision to invest in the Invicta i1 670 was driven directly by the need to better serve fresh produce customers. "What we value most about Lombardi is the reliability of its presses and their outstanding printing performance in terms of both quality and speed," Carbonara noted. She highlighted that these essential characteristics allow the company to maintain high production standards while remaining aggressively competitive in a rapidly evolving market environment.

Automation and operational agility

The technical specifications of the Invicta i1 platform are engineered to handle multiple product categories seamlessly. It incorporates advanced automation features designed to facilitate rapid job changeovers and minimize material waste during setup. This production flexibility is critical in the modern packaging supply chain of 2026, where converters face growing demands for shorter runs, diverse substrates, and uncompromising print consistency. For the fresh produce sector, where time-to-market, breathability of the film, and high-impact shelf appeal are essential, the ability to switch swiftly between jobs while maintaining exacting standards provides a tangible operational edge.

This installation also highlights a broader narrative in the European converting sector: the consolidation of regional technology partnerships to drive mutual growth. As Carby Label’s fourth Lombardi machine, the purchase reflects a deep-rooted collaboration between two Italian companies pushing for engineering excellence and domestic manufacturing strength. Enrico Gandolfi, Italy sales director at Lombardi Converting Machinery, emphasized that repeat investments from long-standing customers confirm the strength of partnerships built on tangible results. He added that the machine will bolster Carby Label's presence in a segment where Lombardi itself is actively broadening its range of inline flexo printing systems to support converters looking to widen their production mix.

Lombardi’s Managing Director, Lorenzo Lombardi, echoed this sentiment, pointing out that when a customer returns for a fourth press, the relationship transcends the mere purchase of machinery, signaling a shared roadmap for technological advancement and trust in domestic manufacturing.

As the packaging landscape throughout 2026 demands greater agility, converters like Carby Label are leveraging mid-web inline flexo technology to diversify their portfolios intelligently. The move not only insulates the business from inevitable volume fluctuations in the core label market but positions it strongly in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and fresh produce sectors, where demand for localized, high-quality flexible packaging continues to see robust volume growth.

The strategic shift from labels to flexible packaging via mid-web flexo platforms is a smart, scalable move for converters aiming to capture the lucrative fresh produce market without overhauling their entire operational footprint. Can inline flexo technology ultimately close the gap with wide-web CI presses for short-to-medium runs in the broader flexible packaging sector?

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