BOBST, a packaging machinery and services supplier, has opened a new Competence Center for labels and flexible packaging in Florence, Italy. 

Spanning 1,200m², the facility is equipped with six complete production lines, including inline flexo, digital, and All-in-One technologies. 

According to BOBST, the new facility will provide its customers with local expertise and proximity, serving as a centre for collaboration and innovation. 

The company unveiled the new Competence Center in response to the growing installed base of more than 1,300 narrow-mid web presses. 

This comes after the company successfully established the Atlanta Competence Center in the US earlier in April this year. 

The opening event of that facility attracted more than 200 customers from 8 to 10 October.

Visitors explored the company’s offerings for the narrow-mid web market.  

The company, with support from leading industry partners, showcased prepress, machinery, technology, BOBST Connect (a cloud-based digital platform), and final applications. 

With a workforce of more than 350 employees in the narrow-mid web printing and converting sector, BOBST says it is reinforcing its commitment to connectivity, automation, and sustainability.  

BOBST Narrow-Mid Web Printing & Converting Product Line head Matteo Cardinotti said: "The major investment in the Narrow-Mid Web Printing & Converting Product Line demonstrates Bobst Group's strong commitment to this segment.  

“BOBST has experienced exceptional growth in labels in recent years and we are supporting that development by opening more local Competence Centers and hiring more staff worldwide. In Italy specifically, we have also expanded our production facilities and reinforced our service organisation to match the needs of our European customers.” 

Last month, BOBST opened its new research and development and manufacturing site in South Korea.