BOBST: A Century of Innovation and Reinvention in Packaging

A Legacy of Leadership

Founded in 1890 in Lausanne, Switzerland, BOBST began as a manufacturer of machinery for the printing and converting industries. Over the past 130+ years, the company has evolved from a local family-owned workshop into a global leader in packaging technology, maintaining its headquarters in the serene countryside of Mex, near Lausanne. BOBST pioneered breakthroughs such as the first automatic die-cutter and has consistently stayed ahead of market shifts, from analog to digital, mechanical to automated, and linear to connected systems.

Now a powerhouse with over 6,500 employees and 21 production sites across 12 countries, BOBST’s solutions are deeply embedded in the label, flexible packaging, folding carton, and corrugated board industries. In 2024, the company reported a turnover of CHF 1.89 billion. Under the stewardship of CEO Jean-Pascal Bobst, the company continues its transformation by aligning product innovation with four strategic pillars: connectivity, digitization, automation, and sustainability.

Strategic Transformation Through Innovation

Jean-Pascal Bobst emphasizes that value creation is driven not just by financial performance, but by people and purposeful innovation. His strategy has led to the development of transformative technologies that bring “smart” packaging to life.

Some standout innovations include:

• ECG (Extended Color Gamut) printing via advanced seven-color flexo systems
• Ink-on-Demand (IOD) and DigiColor, a closed-loop system for real-time ink management based on Delta E color standards
• File-to-print turnaround in under an hour, with fully automated plate and color changeovers in under four minutes

These advances not only reduce waste and improve precision, but also align with growing demands for sustainable practices and food-safe packaging. BOBST has also been developing digital and hybrid printing solutions to adapt to the changing dynamics of the market.

Expanding Footprint: BOBST in the Middle East

BOBST has experienced significant growth and impact across the Middle East, a region increasingly recognized for its dynamic packaging sector and strategic importance in global logistics and manufacturing. With strong economic diversification initiatives in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, packaging and printing have emerged as key industrial growth areas—and BOBST has positioned itself as a pivotal player in this transformation.

BOBST has been actively present in the Middle East for decades through its regional offices, local agents, and frequent participation in major industry events like Gulf Print & Pack in Dubai and Saudi Print & Pack in Riyadh. These events have provided vital platforms for showcasing BOBST’s latest technologies in flexible packaging, folding carton, and corrugated solutions to converters and brand owners across the region.

BOBST’s local success is evident in the number of leading Middle Eastern converters who have adopted its machines, including flagship installations of the MASTER M6, VISION CI, and EXPERTFOLD series. The company’s deep commitment to service and after-sales support in the region—through partnerships, technical centers, and dedicated service engineers—has earned it a reputation not just for technological leadership but for reliability and responsiveness.

Several key customers across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran have highlighted BOBST’s technologies as essential to improving their competitiveness, especially with the region’s shift toward sustainable packaging solutions and high-speed automation. By offering customized training, fast-response maintenance, and ongoing consultation on workflow optimization, BOBST continues to foster long-term relationships and accelerate innovation across the region.

With continued investments in local engagement and digital infrastructure, BOBST is solidifying its role as a trusted partner to Middle Eastern converters who are expanding their capacity, diversifying their product portfolios, and serving both regional and international markets with cutting-edge packaging solutions.

Elevating the Customer Experience and Value Chain

BOBST’s commitment extends far beyond machinery. Through its Application Management program, BOBST partners with clients across the entire packaging value chain—from material suppliers and converters to brand owners and consumer goods companies. The goal is to understand customer pain points, anticipate market trends, and co-create tailored solutions.

Industry experts like Xavier Bonamour (flexible packaging), Philippe Domanksy (folding carton & corrugated), and Stelios Manousakis (labels) work directly with clients to optimize processes and outcomes. Their focus is on ecosystem-wide value: not merely selling equipment, but enabling future-ready production systems through consulting, workflow orchestration, and sustainable packaging design.

BOBST CONNECT: The Digital Backbone

Introduced over five years ago, BOBST CONNECT is the company’s cloud-based ecosystem that uses machine learning, AI, and data analytics to streamline the entire packaging process. This digital hub recently launched two key features:

1. Workflow Management: Enables seamless job synchronization across BOBST and third-party machines in labels, flexibles, cartons, and corrugated lines. Using “job recipes” and “Twin PDFs,” converters can match outputs between technologies—e.g., moving from offset to flexo with minimal recalibration.
2. Energy Monitoring: Provides real-time tracking of energy consumption and costs, helping converters in corrugated and e-commerce packaging reduce environmental impact and operating expenses.

Looking forward, BOBST aims to open APIs to competitors, fostering a collaborative ecosystem that unites the packaging industry in a streamlined, waste-reducing production flow.

Competence Centers: A Global Network of Innovation

Instead of relying solely on large tradeshows, BOBST has invested in 12 global Competence Centers—dedicated spaces for demonstration, training, and application development. These centers allow for hands-on interaction with specialized solutions in real-world production environments.

During a recent visit to the new BOBST Atlanta Competence Center, the focus was on flexible packaging. The facility featured:

• DIGITAL MASTER 340
• DIGITAL EXPERT 340 All-in-One
• MASTER M6 flexo press
• VISION CI press – A 43-ft machine reaching speeds of 1,300 ft/min with only 30 ft of waste between jobs
• NOVALAM S550 laminator
• Digital Inspection Table FC 106, offering quality control using PDF overlays, spectrometers, and barcode grading
• Digital Makeready Tool, reducing foil stamping setup by 50%
• Crease Light Tool integrated with HMI SPHERE for precise die-cut adjustments

These sessions also featured educational presentations from partners like Miraclon, Synaptik, and Wicoff, reinforcing BOBST’s role not just as a machine builder, but as an educator and ecosystem leader.

A Future-Focused Vision

BOBST continues to set the standard in packaging, not by resting on legacy, but by continuously reinventing itself in response to customer needs and industry trends. Whether it’s sustainable inks, smart workflows, AI-enabled quality control, or deep collaboration across the supply chain, BOBST is more than a manufacturer—it’s a future architect for the global packaging community.