Digitalization in the print and packaging industry: More efficiency, less complexity

Digitalization in the print and packaging industry: More efficiency, less complexity

Michael Möller
Michael Möller
6 mins
Updated:
Published:
April 29, 2025

The print and packaging industry is facing the tension between increasing customer demands and economic constraints. Individualized orders, short delivery times and the highest quality standards are standard today — at the same time, energy and material costs are rising while qualified personnel remain scarce. To meet these challenges, more and more companies are relying on digital control systems such as a Manufacturing Execution System (MES).

Transparent processes as the key to competitiveness

An MES creates the necessary transparency in production: It provides real-time data on machine statuses, throughput times and material consumption. This enables forward-looking production planning, a faster response to disruptions and a sound basis for continuous process improvement.

Integration into existing system landscapes

The IT landscape is often heterogeneous, particularly in the printing and packaging industry. A modern MES must therefore not only be scalable to the specific industry, but also integrate smoothly into existing ERP, ODC or quality management systems. The goal is a consistent database along the entire value chain - from order to delivery.

Thinking people and technology together

The digitalization of production is not a purely technical project. Its success depends largely on whether employees support the change. Change management is therefore a critical success factor: early involvement of the workforce, targeted training concepts and clear communication of objectives create acceptance and motivation. The development of so-called key users, who act as an interface between software, store floor and management, is particularly effective.

Sustainability and resource efficiency

An MES also actively contributes to sustainability: Through less waste, more efficient use of resources and more precise planning, companies can significantly reduce their environmental footprint — an increasingly relevant factor also for customers and business partners in the packaging industry.

Conclusion

The digitization of production in the print and packaging industry is not a nice-to-have, but a strategic success factor. With a powerful MES, you can not only control processes, but also specifically increase efficiency potential — provided that technology and people are taken equally into account.

Find out more about the successful introduction of an MES in the print and packaging industry in our white paper:
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