Durst acquires wide format manufacturer

Digital inkjet solutions developer Durst is acquiring US based manufacturer Vanguard Digital Printing Systems, adding a new class of wide format printers to its portfolio.

Vanguard is a five-year-old business manufacturing mainly flatbed printers, with a price point set for a different market segment than most Durst printers.

The entry-level flatbed 1.2x2.4m VR5D will print between 30sqm and 60sqm an hour depending on the quality setting, while the top-of-the-range printers will produce between 80sqm and 280sqm an hour.

Matt Ashman, managing director of Durst Oceania, said: “Vanguard is a young dynamic business that has developed a great range of wide format printers. I’m looking forward to bringing them into ANZ, they should be available early next year.”

Vanguard Digital manufactures printing systems for the signage, decoration, corporate, industrial, and packaging sectors. With the acquisition, Durst adds new printer classes to its large format portfolio, while Vanguard now has a global distribution and service network and technical resources to continue developing robust solutions.

"Vanguard's printing systems have rightly achieved rapid growth and high customer acceptance in the North American market," Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of the Durst Group, said.

“Despite the global pandemic, we are positioning ourselves for the long term and are determined to invest in the large-format graphics market. In addition, with our technical expertise, Vanguard will continue to ensure that its products and services are industry-leading and a wider customer base will understand what it is like to be part of the Durst family."

Durst North America president Tim Saur said: "Vanguard Digital Printing Systems is a rapidly growing and very successful company in a customer segment in which we are currently not active. Through the combination of high-quality products, a strong management team and absolute customer orientation, both companies are a perfect match."

As part of the agreement, the new company will operate as Vanguard Durst Digital Printing Systems with immediate effect.

Vanguard Digital Printing Systems CEO David Cich said: “It is with great humility and excitement that Vanguard Digital will now be a part of the world-class industry leading Durst Group. Becoming part of the Durst Group Family, provides Vanguard Digital the opportunity to expand its portfolio of innovative market leading UV Printers to the entire world."

Vanguard has five flatbed UV Printers in its portfolio, one roll to roll printer, and two high speed flatbed lines which operate at 7000 metres an hour.