The acquisition of advanced printing technology used globally to meet strict quality standards marks a milestone for RAM Labels. The Cape-based company has also achieved ISO 9001 certification, a recognised benchmark for quality and procurement.
Since 2016, RAM Labels has supplied the wine and spirits industries, and works exclusively with ROTOCON, a provider of turnkey labelling and narrow web solutions.
In less than a decade, RAM Labels has established itself as a producer of flexographic and digitally printed labels, supplying both small-batch premium wines and large commercial ranges. Its latest addition, a Pantec RHINO flatbed hot foil embossing unit, expands its capabilities. Owner Thomas Veenstra describes the investment as a pivotal development, positioning the business to meet higher design and production expectations in South Africa’s label manufacturing industry. The acquisition was facilitated through ROTOCON, Pantec’s sub-Saharan Africa representative.
RAM Labels is among few South African companies with this technology and can now offer finishing capabilities previously sourced from overseas suppliers at high cost.
‘Our industry has long been shaped by technological limitations,’ says Thomas. ‘Designers and brand owners lowered expectations to match what was locally possible. We saw that gap early and decided to aim higher. Now, we can confidently show marketing, design and sales teams what can be done right here.’
A service non-negotiable
For wine producers, consistency and reliability across the supply chain underpin brand value. RAM Labels has built a long-standing relationship with ROTOCON based on shared values, responsiveness and long-term thinking.
Specialised equipment such as the Pantec RHINO requires technical alignment, preparation and ongoing support to ensure peak performance during the busiest production periods.
RAM Labels relies exclusively on ROTOCON, a choice based on experience rather than convenience, explains Thomas. ‘If we have a crisis, ROTOCON reacts immediately. That responsiveness keeps our machines running and downtime to an absolute minimum, benefitting our clients directly.’
Support from fully trained technical teams is available around the clock, while proactive planning and machine integration allow RAM Labels to deliver advanced finishes without compromising turnaround times. ‘For wine producers working within tight bottling windows, this reliability translates directly into peace of mind,’ says Thomas.
The premium edge
RAM Labels’ investment coincides with a focus on premiumisation in the South African wine industry. As producers compete on crowded shelves, labels play a growing role in indicating a wine’s quality and provenance.
ROTOCON sourced the RHINO unit from Swiss manufacturers whose equipment is used worldwide in sectors with high security and quality requirements, including banks and tobacco companies.
For local wine producers, advanced finishing techniques such as hot foil embossing, intricate textures and precise detailing signal care, authenticity and value before the bottle is opened. The RHINO enables RAM Labels to deliver these features consistently, meeting the expectations of modern wine brands.
Advanced label technology also plays a key role in protecting brand integrity. Counterfeiting, a long-standing issue in spirits, is rising in the premium and collectible wine sectors. Features such as complex foiling, embossing and finely controlled print details are difficult to replicate, offering an added layer of security.
RAM Labels’ investment allows South African wine producers to compete on quality and credibility. By combining upgraded technology with reliable production and ongoing support, RAM Labels reinforces the label as both a branding tool and a safeguard of value.
How philosophy drives success
While its technology has expanded, RAM Labels follows a measured growth strategy, remaining small, agile and communicative, and expanding capacity in line with real demand from its established client base.
‘We don’t want to be the biggest,’ says Thomas. ‘We want to be the best.’
He explains that smaller teams allow for clearer communication, faster response times and closer collaboration.
‘Early on, RAM identified poor communication as a key industry frustration and set out to address it. Every email is acknowledged. Every client knows where they stand. That clarity builds trust,’ Thomas explains.
This approach allows RAM Labels to respond quickly to the South African wine market’s expectations. By investing in advanced finishing and security features without significantly increasing costs, RAM Labels offers a technical capability supported by close partnerships and steady growth.
