Vogt: From book printer to foil printing specialist

Druckerei Vogt Foliendruck GmbH, based in Hessisch Lichtenau (North Hesse), can now look back on over 120 years of company history. Holger Vogt is now the fourth generation of the family to run the company. One of the owner-managed company's particular strengths is its ability to constantly adapt to changing market conditions.

1897 Adolf Vogt founds The company starts with the publication of the „Lossebote“, a regional advertising paper, and smaller business stationery with ten employees. Within 40 years, the company develops from a book printing company into a commercial printing company and becomes a commercial printing company from 1930 continued by son Karl Vogt. A good 30 years later, more space was needed in 1965 and so the company moved to its new premises.

Packaging comes into play

As early as the 1970s, Vogt started printing for the packaging sector and the advertising media industry. In the third generation Herbert Vogt since 1962 the company and relies on the Trend towards foil printing and the increasing demand for high-quality printed plastic products.

In 1979, two years of tinkering and the first printing trials on film are carried out: This is already the Foundation stone for today's UV film printing laid. During this time, packaging labels for tights from the local company Rollmann & Rose are produced in large quantities.

Specialisation in foil printing and more

Herbert Vogt specialises the company in foil printing. Together with his son, Holger Vogt, he develops the regional company into a nationwide operating foil printing company from.

One 4-colour offset printing press with integrated UV final drying brings significant improvements to the process. One UV drying directly after printing initiates a chemical transformation of the colours, the so-called Polymerisation.

From 1982 to 1988, the first computer magazine in Germany called „Homecomputer“ is printed by Vogt.  1991 Holger Vogt becomes Managing Director. He joined the family business back in 1985. His Flat printer training He completed his training from 1982 to 1984 at the Hauchler Studio in Biberach an der Riß. At the same time, in 1984, he successfully completed the specialised commercial seminar for business administration, finance, law and calculation.

Holger Vogt then worked at Druckhaus Dierichs in Kassel for a year until 1985, before moving to the family business in Hessisch Lichtenau. The first three years were characterised by stand-in duties and 15 months of compulsory military service. After that, everything happened very quickly: from calculator to first field appointments to junior salesman throughout Germany.

„A lot has happened in the more than 120 years that Vogt has been around. Countless changes, new innovations and challenges have always accompanied us, and will continue to do so. An ever-changing market will require adjustments, which we will continue to pursue. This is part of our corporate DNA and has made us successful to date. For the future, we will continue to keep an eye on and follow trends, technologies and market requirements. Environmental issues, sustainability and innovations will continue to accompany the company. We also want to continue to work with our Print effects and customised solutions Inspire customers and consumers so that emotions and actions are triggered and inspire.“

Holger Vogt, Managing Director of Vogt Foliendruck GmbH, Hessisch Lichtenau.

Technological quantum leap

Additional production space is required for the expansion of offset printing and the purchase of a new machine, and so an extension with 1,000 square metres of floor space is built in 1992. In 1994, Vogt became the first company in the world to equip a III-B 5-colour Roland 700 press with a Roll-to-sheet feeder for film and in-mould label technology from.

From now on, sheets from 720 x 1,020 millimetres Size can be printed: This means a Quantum leap in the economic efficiency of label printing. The added production of In-mould labelling (IML) has already been successfully established there for several years.

After celebrating its 100th anniversary in 1997, the company continues to grow. Soon afterwards, capacity is once again exhausted and the decision is made to relocate. Comfortable 7.500 square metres have offered space for high performance and further growth since 2001.

Investments for expanded opportunities

It will continue invested, expanded and developed. Those responsible are continuously investing in new printing machines, CtP systems, cutting plotters, laminating systems, fully automatic die-cutting systems and other production equipment.

Gradually the Establishment of digital printing, which is now 1,000 additional square metres was set up. This now offers an almost endless Selection of substrates as well as the production of small Quantities and formats from S to XXXL.

Not only the in-mould label and lenticular printing areas benefit from the expanded capacity and improved performance, but also the classic film printing and finishing areas.

New face and new structures

It is not only the machines and equipment that are always adapted to the latest standards, but also the Corporate Design is being harmonised so that the many different products that Vogt now offers and produces can be used in the future, internationally standardised can be marketed.

After years of further development, Vogt now represents eight business segments (Image Printing, Publishing & AdSpecial, Promotion & Advertising Media, Point of Sale, Mailings & Amplifiers, Packaging/IML, Cards and Products for Retail).

The company offers thousands of different product possibilities, e.g. interchangeable and 3D images (lenticular), stickers for every area of application, displays, stand-up displays, shelf wobblers, InPack/OnPack, window images, mousepads, mailing/response amplifiers, UV coatings and finishes.

The Subsidiary CF Card Factory GmbH Since the year 2000, the company has focussed on the Production of plastic cards. These include voucher cards for department stores and DIY stores as well as membership cards for automobile clubs and plastic cards for local and long-distance public transport. In terms of volume, the Card Factory is now the largest card manufacturer in Germany. It is located on the former company site „Im Tal“, today Vogt's Plant 2.

Every product is unique

In the packaging segment, Vogt offers Various product solutions, The range includes packaging for games, CD covers, DVD slipcases, transparent sleeves, trading cards and flowpacks, in-pack and on-pack, packaging with or without finishing, PP film and mailing packaging. For example, for the Drink Karamalz OnPack promotions in the form of trading cards and window pictures, in-mould labels are used on Colour buckets from alpina.

The vials from „Little coward“ have also been supplemented with an add-on: a label, which also has a lenticular effect, can be easily removed from the packaging and reapplied to another surface - making it perfect as a collector's item. Packaging from Wilkinson brings the product on offer to life even more realistically in 3D. A variety of other solutions are shown in the Performance potential of the company.

Effect prints for Europe

The international position is further expanded and the product range is consistently extended. Vogt adapts to the ever changing Changing market requirements and remains innovative in order to continue to be a leading provider and Pioneer for effect prints to stay in Europe.

In the IML segment, Vogt is one of the Fulfilment service providers for the packaging industry. Today, the company has 135 employees and produces continuously in three shifts, five to six days a week.