Canon buys Edale in labels boost

Inkjet printing systems giant Canon has bought equipment manufacturer Edale, with the aim of strengthening its label and packaging business, and creating opportunities for future developments.

Canon says that through the acquisition, it is intensifying its long-term strategy to provide turnkey solutions for the label and packaging sectors. The move will enable Canon Production Printing to further develop its LabelStream 4000 product line, as well as provide expertise and technology for future products.

James Rodden, managing director of Rodden Graphics, which supplies both the Canon Labelstream and Edale presses here, said, “It is a great deal for the label and packaging industry. Edale’s precision engineering and its highly automated FL presses, and Canon’s unrivalled inkjet web expertise is a winning combination.”

The Canon Labelstream 4000 has used the Edale infeed and outfeed, with its own digital print unit, since the machine was launched. It is available either as the core unit with just the DPU digital print engine between the infeed and outfeed, or in hybrid version with options of flexo, digital screen, conventional screen, hot foil, cold foil and embossing all inline.

Based in the UK Edale engineers and manufactures printing and converting solutions for the label and packaging industry, including digital and hybrid presses, carton and label production lines, flatbed die-cutters, and finishing and converting equipment. The company has a long history in the flexo label industry and a strong reputation for its web transport and converting solutions for digital label production. 

Mick Asada, CEO, Canon Production Printing comments, “Edale has been a supplier of the web transport, conventional printing and embellishment modules for our LabelStream 4000 series since 2018. Through this close collaboration we have a very high regard for the Edale team’s capabilities and specialist expertise in printing and converting for the label and packaging industry. We’re excited by the enormous potential that will come from far closer co-operation, and confident that this will help to realise Canon’s ambition to become a major force for digital innovation in the packaging arena.”

Edale owner and chairman Grahame Barker said, “We have experienced a period of exciting growth, and I believe that the support of a strong global player is vital to enable us to continue that trajectory in the future, so I’m delighted that Canon will be that partner for the next stage of Edale’s development. We’re confident that the combined force of Edale and Canon will deliver tangible advantages for both companies’ customers.”

Edale, continuing to trade under the Edale brand, will remain an independently managed company, pursuing its established strategy to provide printing and finishing solutions, focused on the label, folding carton and flexible packaging segments. Barker will retire and the business will be led by the existing Edale management team under managing director James Boughton, reporting into Canon Production Printing through Walter Vogelsberger, vice president, Digital Packaging Printing.

James Rodden at Rodden Graphics will continue to supply the solutions from both Canon with digital label systems, and Edale with conventional flexo presses.