Bakers has sealed two major deals at drupa that are set to expand both their BakPac flexible packaging division, and their labels division. The deals together value nearly £2.25m investment for the Brentwood based, independent label and packaging manufacturer.

What started as a week focussed on the delivery and installation of their second Galaxy Packtech pouch converter into their new factory facility, quickly escalated into one of the biggest weeks of deal making for Steve Baker. His initial plan was to just visit drupa with sons Harry and Tom for exposure to the vast print industry and the new technologies within. A change of mindset over a cup of tea the day before flying to Germany and they arrived in Dusseldorf on Wednesday 5th June with a mission.

Both Harry and Tom have been involved in the family business for a few years now and are very much the future succession of the company. The future of Bakers is looking very positive, particularly in digitally printed flexible packaging. Having launched BakPac in 2020, with HP’s Indigo 20,000 press they upgraded to the Indigo 200k in January 2024.

2nd HP Indigo 200K for BakPac
Sometimes when you buy a press the sales hype does not meet the expectations. That first 200K installed less than six months ago has definitely met the hype. For Steve and Harry Baker there was no need to hesitate so moved straight into negotiations with the HP team.




When asked about the latest investments for the business Steve Baker said,
“We have been seriously impressed with the performance and productivity levels of the 200k that we installed in January this year. This has enabled us to go for and win larger contracts with confidence which is excellent news for our business. We are confident this growth will continue and to ensure we are able to maintain an excellent, fast service the second 200k press was an easy choice to make.

The way the HP team was able to react at such short notice to put this deal together was very impressive and I look forward to more collaboration with the guys in the future! “

Quote from Clare Revell, HP “I’m thrilled that we have agreed the sale of a second Indigo 200k flexible packaging press to Steve Baker and the team at Baker Labels, at drupa only six months after the installation of the first one! We couldn’t be happier to be associated with such a dynamic, successful, forward thinking company. Congratulations to Steve and the team! “




Quote from Markus Weiss, General Manager, EMEA – HP Industrial Print, “Thank you very much for our long term, successful, and trustful partnership. It’s a real pleasure to work with you and the entire Baker Labels and BakPac Team.”
In buying a 2nd HP Indigo 200K Bakers has chosen to continue down a path they know is going to work. The logistics of an installation date are yet to be agreed on but with the expansion of the BakPac production floor to a second facility, there is room ready and waiting.

A new partnership and a UK first.
Almost without pausing for breath, the Baker Boys then moved on to the Durst Group stand where Tom Baker negotiated on an inkjet press he had recently been coveting. The Durst TAU 340 RSC will be Baker Labels’ first investment with the Italian based manufacturer.




Of this investment, Tom Baker said, “This press will take our inkjet quality to a new level. The team will be excited to get their hands on this one!”

Quote from Simon Cosh, Durst Group, “I’m absolutely delighted that Bakers has placed their faith and invested in the Durst Tau RSC. It’s the first RSC with LED and the new Hawk Ai scanning system in the UK so the height of inkjet technology. We look forward to a fruitful partnership that pushes the boundaries and capabilities of inkjet for labels and packaging.” The current plan is to see the Durst press installed in Baker Labels within the next three months.




Independence
While other label producers are being absorbed by the larger groups, it’s the beauty of remaining an independent, family run business that Bakers has the agility to make these kinds of quick, dynamic decisions that keep the company at the forefront of the industry. There are exciting times ahead!

www.bakerlabels.co.uk/

www.bakpac.co.uk