More than 170 participants from 16 countries and 4 continents, demonstrations of cutting-edge flexo and hybrid solutions, expert presentations and a unique atmosphere – these elements summed up the Open House organized at the expanded and modernized Mark Andy European Technology Center in Warsaw (Poland).  The event, held on 12th June, marked the opening of this important facility for the company and served as a prelude to its presence at the upcoming Labelexpo Europe trade fair. Watch a video from the event here: https://youtu.be/ww_wTwSiz1w

The event also had a special significance, as Tom Cavalco, Vice President International Sales at Mark Andy, emphasized in his welcome speech as it symbolized the start of a new chapter for Mark Andy’s operations in the EMEA region. The meeting gathered numerous customers, partners and media representatives specializing in narrow-web printing from Europe, the Americas and Asia. The event’s program was primarily designed to showcase technological capabilities of modern label and packaging production in practice.

Competence Hub for the European Market
The Mark Andy Technology Center in Warsaw is more than just a showroom, although demo facility remains one of its key features.  As Tom Cavalco explained: “It is a space designed to offer real support to customers for testing, training and consulting.  Our latest investment in expanding the facility is a strategic response to the growing demands of the global label and packaging market and the dynamic changes occurring across the print industry.”

Several production lines are permanently installed at the center, showcasing technologies implemented by Mark Andy in its flexographic and digital/hybrid presses, along with finishing solutions.  For many attendees, the Open House offered a unique opportunity to see multiple Mark Andy presses in action, producing labels and flexible packaging on various substrates with a range of embellishments and finishing options.

A ‘New’ Opening
Following the welcome address by Tom Cavalco, Mark Andy’s CEO Duane Pekar took the floor.  In his speech, he stated that Mark Andy continues to invest in its local structures to stay close to its customers and respond quickly to their evolving needs.  He said that the new opening of the European Technology Center is more than just symbolic, it’s a tangible answer to market growth, direction and rising customer expectations in Europe and other regions supported by the company’s EMEA operations.  “In line with our motto ‘Your Growth is Our Growth’ we aim to be a partner that not only delivers equipment but actively supports growth of your businesses and transformation of the entire industry,” he said.

Technology Takes Center Stage
The most anticipated part of the event was the live demonstrations of Mark Andy presses, conducted by Antony Cotton, European Sales Manager, and Lukasz Kaczynski, Demo Room Manager.  One of the highlights was the European premiere of Performance Series S9 flexo press integrated with a Rotoflex VLI rewinder.  Attendees also showed strong interest in other flagship solutions from Mark Andy’s portfolio, including the hybrid Digital Series HD HighSpeed 1200 and the Evolution Series E5 flexo press.  The Digital Series HD HighSpeed 1200 is positioned as a true game-changer in hybrid production, being the world’s fastest UV inkjet-based label press.  The technology on display also included Mark Andy’s ProWORX Label Suite workflow software, developed to automate processes, streamline production and improve overall print shop efficiency.

Expert Insight
The event also featured insightful presentations from leading industry experts.  Anke Frieser-Tausch, Head of the DFTA Technology Centre, spoke about the future of label and packaging industry, the challenges it faces and its key development directions.  Her presentation addressed megatrends impacting the sector, including digitalization, automation and need to comply with ESG requirements.
Magdalena Fertsch-Slek, expert in GS1 standards, then introduced attendees to the concept of Product Digital Passport (PDP).  She explained how this EU initiative will revolutionize the way products are identified and tracked throughout their lifecycle, from production and logistics to recycling, with major implications for packaging and labeling across industries.

The event concluded with a Q&A session featuring Duane Pekar, Tom Cavalco, Anke Frieser-Tausch and Magdalena Fertsch-Slek. Topics discussed included global geopolitical issues impacting print businesses and supply chains, as well as Mark Andy’s plans for Labelexpo Europe, both in terms of the presses on show and the materials & consumables provided by MAPP, as well as the company’s R&D activity in the area of hybrid production.

Relaxation in a Museum Setting
After the formal part of the event, guests enjoyed time to relax and network. The evening gathering at the Muzealna Restaurant, located at the National Museum in Warsaw, provided a perfect backdrop for informal conversations, music and partying!

Investment in Future
In his post event summary, Tom Cavalco commented: “We warmly thank all our customers and partners who participated in the ‘new’ opening of our European Technology Center in Warsaw.  We hope the event was more than just a product and technology presentation, because it was designed to prove that our company is committed to innovation, openness and dialogue with customers.  As was emphasized many times during the event, the future of printing is not just about quality and productivity, but also flexibility, sustainability and agility to adapt to changing market needs.”