The corrugated packaging industry, a cornerstone of global logistics and retail, is undergoing a significant transformation driven by digital innovation. BHS Corrugated, a 300-year-old German manufacturer, is at the forefront of this evolution, leveraging its legacy engineering expertise to lead the sector into the digital age. Nils Gottfried, Senior Sales Manager and marketing lead for the BHS Jetliner series, highlights the growing importance of digital printing in this historically analogue industry.
Corrugated’s Digital Awakening
Traditionally slow to adopt digital technologies, the corrugated sector is now experiencing accelerated change due to evolving customer demands. Brands are pushing for faster lead times, greater customization, and on-demand production, which necessitate leaner and more agile manufacturing processes. While North America is leading the shift, Europe is also beginning to embrace digital solutions. The rise of shorter product cycles, versioning, and sustainability concerns further drives the need for innovation.
Nils Gottfried’s Career and BHS’s Vision
Gottfried’s career reflects the industry’s transformation. Starting as an offset printer in the 1990s, he gained expertise in color management and inkjet systems at companies like GMG Color, Fujifilm, and Smurfit Kappa. At BHS Corrugated, he focuses on integrating digital capabilities into the production process. The BHS Jetliner series, including the Monochrome and Xceed models, exemplifies this approach, offering solutions that range from in-line corrugator integration to standalone roll-to-roll systems. These innovations aim to enhance efficiency and flexibility in packaging production.
Efficiency as a Survival Imperative
The drive for innovation is not just about staying competitive—it’s about survival. The consolidation of businesses through mergers and acquisitions has led to larger, more integrated operations that prioritize efficiency across the value chain. Automation and ease-of-use are increasingly critical due to the shortage of skilled labor. AI-driven automation and digital lifecycle services are becoming essential, enabling manufacturers to streamline processes and reduce inefficiencies.
Sustainability by Design
As the debate over plastic versus paper continues, corrugated packaging is positioning itself as the environmentally superior option. Digital printing supports sustainability by enabling on-demand production, reducing waste, and eliminating overproduction. Gottfried emphasizes that efficiency and sustainability are interconnected: more efficient processes inherently lower environmental footprints.
Global Insights and Regional Nuances
BHS Corrugated’s global operations provide valuable insights into regional trends. While North America leads in digital adoption, Asia, particularly China, is emerging as a hub for rapid innovation and agile development. BHS Corrugated leverages this global perspective to combine German engineering precision with Asian agility, ensuring its solutions are adaptable to diverse markets.
The Corruverse: A Connected Ecosystem
BHS Corrugated’s groundbreaking Corruverse framework redefines box plant operations by integrating the corrugator, intralogistics, and processing into a single, intelligent ecosystem. Launched on May 25, 2025, the Corruverse represents a holistic approach to production, combining digital print, AI, automation, and lifecycle analytics. This strategy aims to create a more efficient, flexible, and sustainable manufacturing environment, enabling seamless coordination across all stages of production.
The Road Ahead
BHS Corrugated’s vision extends beyond incremental improvements. The company is reimagining the entire packaging production process, from start to finish, to future-proof the industry. With a commitment to innovation, global collaboration, and strategic foresight, BHS Corrugated is not just adapting to the digital age but actively shaping it. By scaling its digital capabilities and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the company is poised to become the leading partner for digital print in the corrugated sector.
In a traditionally conservative industry, BHS Corrugated demonstrates how legacy can be a foundation for transformation. Its blend of innovation, strategic focus, and global collaboration positions it as a key player in the ongoing digital revolution. For more information, visit the Corruverse landing page.
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