It started with a call that Midcomp CEO Rob Makinson wasn’t expecting. An invitation to visit Durst’s headquarters in Brixen, Italy last year quickly turned into strategic alignment. ‘One thing led to another – and now we’re Durst’s official South African partner. It’s a big deal for us,’ Rob says.
For Markus Gleissner, managing director for EEMEA Graphics at Durst, the match was obvious. ‘Rob and I go back to 2000. I’ve always respected Midcomp’s deep customer focus, which is exactly how we operate at Durst. We’re expanding in labels, packaging, textiles, ceramics and large-format graphics. To do that in South Africa, we needed a partner with technical pedigree, proven credibility and real market reach. Midcomp delivers on all of it.’
And with that, a high-performance alliance was born.
This partnership has unlocked the full potential of Midcomp’s underutilised expertise – industrial technicians, colour management specialists and integration pros who now have a world-class platform to work from.
‘Durst lets us flex some muscle we haven’t used in a while,’ says Rob. ‘It’s not just about selling boxes – we’re integrating high-spec digital systems into complex workflows. And with Wayne Barker, Chris Lever and Erich Ludick joining us from Industrial Inkjet Specialists (IIS), we hit the ground running with Durst know-how already in place.’
Wayne is currently undergoing advanced training at Durst’s facilities in Italy, specifically on the latest generation of label presses – a segment Midcomp is now actively targeting. There’s also strategic expansion in Cape Town, with the appointment of Clive Barnett, a seasoned former Kemtek sales exec, who will grow Midcomp’s footprint in large-format and Zünd cutting solutions.
Durst tech, local muscle
Durst isn’t in the business of mass-market printing. Its machines – particularly the new P5 series – are precision tools engineered for durability, efficiency and integration into high-end industrial environments.
‘The P5X flatbed is a standout,’ Markus notes. ‘It’s robust, cost-effective and ideal for small-volume sign makers and commercial printers. We’ve listened to the market. Some smaller print houses felt overlooked while we focused on the high end. The P5X series changes that.’
Durst’s technology portfolio extends far beyond signage. From digitally printed textiles and ceramics to advanced label presses and pack lines for corrugated packaging – fully automated from loading to stacking – Durst is reshaping how print businesses deliver volume and versatility.
South Africa, Markus insists, is ready.
‘From a tech perspective, the local industry is on par with Europe. The challenge is scale. A R5-million press needs consistent throughput to justify. But that’s why this partnership is so strategic. Rob and his team know exactly how to identify and support customers who are ready to step up to true industrial digital.’
While others talk green, Durst builds it in. ‘We were pushing water-based and UV inks long before it was fashionable,’ Markus says. ‘Sustainability isn’t a marketing tool for us – it’s a core engineering principle.’
The company’s water-based inks are already well-established in textiles – especially for sublimation applications on the P5 TEX – and R&D continues on further low-impact formulations. ‘Compliance with EU regulations has always been our baseline, not the ceiling,’ Markus adds. ‘Midcomp aligns with that thinking, and that’s critical.’
Service built to last
Durst’s global standard for support isn’t compromised in regional markets, and this is where Midcomp’s reputation shines.
‘We don’t enter markets lightly,’ says Markus. ‘We first ensure we have partners with the right skills. Then we invest in intensive training. That way, service is indistinguishable from our direct operations.’
Chris and Eric – now integrated into Midcomp – were already familiar faces for local Durst customers. That continuity matters. ‘From a service perspective, nothing’s changed – except now it’s even faster,’ Rob says.
Durst’s reach into Africa has traditionally been modest – not due to lack of interest, but because supporting equipment at this level demands serious infrastructure. ‘We’ve never had a footprint on the continent, apart from South Africa,’ says Markus. ‘But Midcomp’s support network gives us the confidence to grow into neighbouring markets such as Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.’
Visa issues, shipping delays and language barriers (despite having a French-speaking engineer on board) make certain territories difficult. ‘It has to be practical, not just aspirational,’ says Rob. ‘But when the application matches Durst’s capabilities, we’re all in.’
The road ahead
Durst’s long-term goals are clear: to lead in digital print innovation, sustainability and customer support. That means smart automation, efficient energy usage, waste reduction and solutions that grow with the businesses it serves.
‘Whether you’re printing bespoke signage, corrugated packaging or variable data on labels, we want to be the system that underpins your future,’ says Markus. ‘That’s what this partnership is all about – empowering printers with the tools, training and tech they need to thrive.’
And Rob? He sums it up with trademark clarity: ‘Durst is the Rolls-Royce of industrial printing presses. And now, Midcomp is behind the wheel in South Africa.’
Ed’s note: Durst is represented and distributed in South Africa by Midcomp.
