Norway’s HBO Nova is installing digital label printing and finishing equipment in order to help the company meet growth in label orders fuelled by the global coronavirus pandemic.
This will see a Konica Minolta AccurioLabel 230 roll-to-roll toner digital production press installed during July, alongside a Grafisk Maskinfabrik (GM) DC330 finishing machine, a specially developed converting line for digitally printed labels. These are to be installed at HBO Nova’s production plant in Haugesund, Norway.
HBO Nova has been created by the merger of Haugesund Bok & Offset (HBO) and Nova Print Stavanger. The investment in all-inclusive digital printing and finishing systems as well as business consultancy assistance from Konica Minolta is set to act as a catalyst for access to new growth markets in labels. One niche market already being actively explored is labelling for beers following a sharp rise in the number of micro-breweries, but also national and international breweries that are already customers. Food sectors – including meat and tomato – are also ripe for digital label production where HBO Nova sees opportunities locally, as well as in Western Europe and in the Middle East.
The machinery investment agreement was originally planned for completion in March until COVID-19 resulted in lockdown and a delay. However, when label volumes continued to rise, HBO Nova decided to press ahead two months later.
Orjan Risanger, HBO Nova managing director, commented, ‘I want to put on record our sincere appreciation to Konica Minolta for its due diligence and expertise in helping us to get where we are now. The staff have listened, advised on digital processes and commercial aspects to create a platform to build significant new revenue streams.
‘It has been exciting and educational for all parties and we look forward to an ongoing successful partnership. The service model is also extremely important. And it’s been very good from Konica Minolta. There can be real problems if service is unreliable.’
Ragnar Brynildsen, CEO at Nova Group International, added, ‘The packaging industry is a growth market across the world. But customers are now demanding shorter runs and personalisation for their products, particularly as more and more smaller brands come on to the market. And they demand more and more local products and service
‘Before choosing this solution from Konica Minolta, we checked out its competitors. But there was nothing to compare on the market in terms of the quality of the product through to the service provided and the expertise. Konica Minolta’s solution is the correct one for us. It’s a win-win situation for all parties concerned. We can’t go into full details but we have a real plan to grow in the market. It’s not only a dream.’
Edoardo Cotichini, team manager, industrial printing at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, said, ‘We know from customer feedback that our dedicated market and consultative approach is working. Around the world, around the clock – we help shape ideas for our customers.
‘HBO Nova’s growth in label volumes orders during the coronavirus-related lockdown reflects our own industry research where customers are reporting a surge in digital production. And while many companies reduced their on-site workforce during lockdowns, the AccurioLabel presses were machines of choice thanks to their ease of use, extremely high quality and reliability.’
