The Label Center expects to triple the number of staff it employs over the next five years, on the back of its new Durst Tau 330 E single-pass digital inkjet press.
The Swiss start-up was founded by Hossam Elgendy in November 2017, but the Zurich-based company did not start production until the press arrived in 2018.
‘We had no cash coming in, so it was imperative to start production as soon as the machine was installed,’ said Mr Elgendy. ‘It is no exaggeration to say that without the Durst Tau we couldn’t have started the business like we did.
‘Market demands are for small and medium runs requiring fast turnarounds at a competitive price, which can only be done digitally. We look at the technical requirements and when all the criteria matches, it means that we can often do jobs for two-thirds of the usual price for customers. What makes me very happy is that big print owners and brands are asking for prices directly, and some conventional printing companies have started sub-contracting work to us. Having a highly-reliable digital press in-house means customers sometimes place orders when they visit.
‘Digital already accounts for 60% of our work, but this will increase because I expect to have two digital printing lines working two-shifts over a five or six-day week within five years and be employing 12 to 15 people. Our business plan was to break-even by the end of 2018, but we achieved that in August.’
Print quality, speed to market, problem-free finishing, the ability to print on a wide-range of substrates and minimal waste were all important factors in Label Center‘s decision to invest in the inkjet press, which was provided by Durst and its partner Jetpack.
