Gallus locks in over ten US press investments in five months

A strong start to the 2026 fiscal year for label converting

The North American label market is sending a clear signal regarding its technological priorities. In a span of just five months, starting from the beginning of its fiscal year on April 1, 2026, Gallus Group has secured more than ten new press investments across the United States. This rapid succession of installations highlights a definitive shift among converters toward modularity and hybrid production environments, moving away from rigid, single-purpose machinery.

As a veteran observer of the narrow-web sector, I find this momentum particularly telling. The industry is currently navigating a complex landscape of shrinking run lengths, demand for faster turnarounds, and a persistent shortage of skilled operators. According to the AWA Labeling & Product Decoration Market Report 2026, the North American label market is projected to maintain a steady 2% annual growth through 2028. US converters are clearly translating this stable outlook into capital expenditure, specifically targeting equipment that offers operational flexibility.

The "System to Compose" philosophy gains traction

The recent investments span the entire Gallus portfolio, including the Gallus RCS, Gallus Labelmaster, Gallus One, and the newly launched Gallus Five. The underlying driver for this adoption is what the Heidelberg subsidiary calls its "System to Compose" concept. In practice, this means converters are no longer buying a static asset; they are investing in a platform that can be reconfigured, scaled, and upgraded as market demands evolve.

A prime example of this strategy in action is Hub Labels. The Hagerstown, Maryland-based converter, already a heavy user of Gallus technology with multiple EM and RCS platforms, recently signed for the new Gallus Five. This press represents the current pinnacle of hybrid label production, seamlessly combining flexographic and digital inkjet printing on a single platform, augmented by integrated embellishment and die-cutting modules.

• Speed and Productivity: Paired with the new HEIDELBERG Saphira UV05 ink set, the Gallus Five reaches production speeds of up to 100 meters per minute.
• Hybrid Efficiency: The integration of digital and conventional processes allows converters to handle complex, high-value labels in a single pass.
• Future-Proofing: The modular architecture ensures that as new embellishment or curing technologies emerge, the press can adapt without requiring a complete replacement.

Looking ahead to LOUPE Americas 2026

This surge in US installations sets a robust stage for Heidelberg and Gallus as they prepare for LOUPE Americas (formerly Labelexpo), scheduled for September 15-17, 2026, in Chicago. Under the theme "Let's Connect," the companies are positioning themselves not just as equipment vendors, but as architects of agile production environments.

Dario Urbinati, CEO of Gallus, accurately captured the current industry mood when he noted that converters are increasingly recognizing modularity as a prerequisite for thriving in a changing market. Similarly, Clarence Penge, Heidelberg USA President, emphasized the growing confidence US label converters are placing in both the newest innovations and the trusted legacy platforms of the Gallus lineup.

The transition from fixed press configurations to customizable, scalable systems is no longer a future concept; it is the current reality of the 2026 label market. Converters who fail to build flexibility into their pressrooms risk being outmaneuvered by those who can pivot seamlessly between high-volume flexo runs and highly customized digital jobs.

Gallus has successfully aligned its engineering roadmap with the immediate commercial needs of the North American converter, proving that hybrid technology is now a fundamental requirement for industrial-scale label production. Will the rest of the narrow-web manufacturing sector be able to match this level of modular integration without compromising on press speed or print quality? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai