Highcon
Highcon Systems Ltd (TASE: HICN) is an Israeli public company that develops digital die cutting and creasing systems using proprietary DART polymer and CO2 laser technology, selling capital equipment, consumables, and services to folding carton and corrugated packaging converters worldwide.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersYavne, Israel
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Highcon does
Highcon Systems Ltd (TASE: HICN) is an Israeli industrial technology company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Yavne that develops, manufactures, and sells digital die cutting and creasing systems for folding carton converters, corrugated packaging producers, and commercial printers. Its core technology combines proprietary DART (Digital Adhesive Rule Technology), which digitally writes polymer crease rules onto foil using UV curable resin, with arrays of CO2 lasers for precision cutting, eliminating the need for physical dies. The product portfolio spans the Euclid series for entry-level and smaller-format converters (Euclid 5 for folding carton, Euclid 5C for corrugated) and the Beam series for higher-volume production (Beam 2, upgraded Beam 2C, and the recently launched Beam 3 and Beam Writer), with the next-generation Vulcan system targeting mainstream corrugated production by drupa 2028.
The business model is anchored on capital equipment sales of these systems, complemented by recurring revenue from DART consumables (polymer, foil, counter substrates) with multi-year replacement cycles, professional installation and training services, and post-warranty service contracts. Highcon monetizes through direct enterprise field sales led by regional sales directors in the Americas and Europe, supplemented by channel partners including Sun Automation Group in the US and Digiprint in Poland, with drupa, FACHPACK, Packaging Innovations, and SuperCorrExpo serving as flagship demand-generation venues. The customer base of approximately 60 converters has installed around 80 systems globally, including enterprise accounts such as DS Smith, Sealed Air (also a strategic investor), Schumacher Packaging, The BoxMaker, Durham Box, THIMM, and Linney, with roughly two-thirds of the installed base serving the packaging industry.
Highcon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Highcon
- Legal name
- Highcon Systems Ltd
- Website
- https://highcon.net
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Highcon Systems Ltd (TASE: HICN) is an Israeli public company that develops digital die cutting and creasing systems using proprietary DART polymer and CO2 laser technology, selling capital equipment, consumables, and services to folding carton and corrugated packaging converters worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Highcon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Digital Die Cutting & Creasing Equipment
- SIC
- Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Paper & Paperboard Packaging Converting & Finishing (Die-Cutting, Gluing, Windowing, Coating) (IMALACAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Finishing, Converting & Die-Cutting Services (IMALAKAN)
Keywords
Where Highcon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Yavne
- HQ country
- Israel
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices6 records
Markets served
Highcon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Digital Die Cutting Systems (Hardware): Highcon generates primary revenue from selling digital die cutting and creasing machines (Highcon Beam, Euclid, and Vulcan series). These are capital equipment purchases with one-time licensing of the underlying technology. Machines are sold in various configurations (standard, nonstop feeder/stacker) with optional modules.
- Consumables (DART Materials): Recurring consumables revenue from DART polymer (UV curable resin), DART Foil (onto which crease lines are written), and DART Counter substrate. The polymer lasts approximately 6 months from delivery; foil and counter last approximately 24 months. Consumables represent the ongoing revenue relationship with installed base.
- Professional Services & Onboarding: Highcon provides installation, training, and onboarding services to customers. This includes site preparation guidance, operator training, and phased onboarding support. The company also offers service contracts and time-and-materials support beyond the standard one-year warranty.
- Service Contracts & Extended Warranty: After the initial one-year full warranty, customers can choose between service contracts or time-and-materials support for ongoing maintenance, technical support, and parts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Standard Machine Warranty |
| Subscription | Annual | Post-Warranty Service Contracts |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Highcon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Highcon develops, manufactures, and supports digital die cutting and creasing machines (Beam 2C, Beam 3, Beam Writer, Beam 2, Euclid 5, Euclid 5C, and forthcoming Vulcan) that replace conventional physical dies for folding carton and corrugated packaging converters. The company also sells recurring DART consumables (polymer, foil, counter), the HighConnect cloud-based performance monitoring platform, and provides installation, training, and post-warranty service contracts.
Product overview
Highcon develops, markets, and supports a portfolio of digital die cutting and creasing systems for folding carton and corrugated converters covering a wide range of formats, substrates, and applications. The product line includes the Highcon Beam platform (Highcon Beam 2C for corrugated, Highcon Beam 3 for folding carton and microflute, Highcon Beam Writer for offline DART foil creation) and the Highcon Euclid series (Euclid 5 for folding carton, Euclid 5C for corrugated). The proprietary DART (Digital Adhesive Rule Technology) system replaces traditional dies for creasing, combined with CO2 laser cutting for digital stripping. Optional add-on modules include CAD Light Editor (powered by Esko/EngView), Highcon Integrated Digital Stripping (HIDS), Advanced Registration, and Variable Data Cutting (VDC). Cloud-based HighConnect provides performance monitoring, while the Digital Workflow Package (DWP) integrates AI-based imposition (Esko Phoenix), PACKZ PDF support, and workflow automation tools.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Highcon Beam 2C Digital die cutting and creasing system for corrugated board (1mm to 4mm thickness), available in pallet-based and nonstop configurations with up to 4,000 sheets per hour, for packaging and display converters.
- Highcon Beam 3 Digital die cutting solution for folding cartons and micro-flute packaging, offering up to 50% productivity increase versus the Beam 2 when paired with the optional Beam Writer; for mid-large folding carton converters.
- Highcon Beam Writer Offline system that writes DART foils using Highcon's proprietary polymer technology, designed to streamline setup time and enhance productivity for existing Highcon Beam systems.
- Highcon Beam 2 Digital cutting and creasing solution extending digital finishing to mainstream production at up to 5,000 B1 sheets per hour, for mid-large folding carton and corrugated converters.
- Highcon Euclid 5 Proven digital cutting and creasing machine offering rapid turnaround and efficiency for small to medium folding carton runs, commercial printers, and e-commerce players at an affordable price point.
- Highcon Euclid 5C Digital cutting and creasing machine for B1 and B2 format corrugated and fluted substrates from 1mm to 3mm thickness, enabling customization and short-turnaround production for packaging converters.
- Highcon Vulcan Next-generation digital die cutting and creasing system (55" x 66" sheet size) for mainstream corrugated production, supporting boards up to 5mm including microflute, B-, C-, and EF flutes with throughput up to 3,000 full-size sheets per hour.
- HighConnect Performance Reporting Platform Cloud-based data information platform that monitors Highcon system production performance, tracking system status, speeds, and job setup times, and provides dashboards for KPI monitoring and near real-time production analytics for Highcon customers.
- DART Consumables (DART polymer, DART foil, DART counter) Recurring consumables for Highcon's DART creasing system, including UV curable DART polymer resin, DART foil (onto which crease lines are written), and DART Counter substrate — sold to Highcon installed base as the ongoing consumables relationship.
- Highcon Installation, Training, and Post-Warranty Service Contracts Installation, operator training, site preparation guidance, and ongoing maintenance support delivered to Highcon customers; includes a standard one-year full warranty and optional annual service contracts or time-and-materials support after warranty.
Quantifiable outcome
- Setup time reduced from 35-45 minutes to 5-10 minutes per order through workflow automation (Vanguard)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Highcon
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Highcon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature8 records
Highcon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Hybrid SoftwarecoreHighcon and Hybrid Software announced a partnership to integrate Hybrid's PACKZ software (offering full PDF support) into Highcon's Digital Die Cutting Workflow Package (DWP). The collaboration delivers streamlined digital die cutting workflows for packaging and display converters, advancing artwork handling, high-quality previews, and automated XML export capabilities.
- BHS CorrugatedcoreHighcon collaborated with BHS Corrugated to make the DS Smith investment in the first Highcon Beam 3 possible. BHS Corrugated is a leading global supplier of corrugated cardboard production machinery and this collaboration enabled the installation of the groundbreaking Beam 3 system at DS Smith's French facility.
- Sealed Air Corporation (SEE)flagshipHighcon and Sealed Air announced a strategic collaboration involving an $8 million investment from SEE and purchase of a Highcon Beam 2C system. The collaboration aims to develop new product offerings, expand into new segments, and improve manufacturing efficiencies. Both companies are exploring applications of Highcon's digital cutting technology for SEE's packaging solutions, including the SEALED AIR Korrvu retention and suspension packaging product line.
- Sun Automation GroupcoreSun Automation Group serves as Highcon's go-to-market partner in the United States, showcasing Highcon's corrugated solutions at SuperCorrExpo 2024 (Booth 1731). The partnership enables Highcon to reach US corrugated converters through Sun's established market presence and customer relationships.
- Digiprint (Poland)minorDigiprint serves as Highcon's regional partner in Poland, hosting the Innovative Packaging Conference where Highcon participates in panel discussions. Digiprint supports market development and customer engagement for Highcon's digital die cutting solutions in Central/Eastern Europe.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Highcon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bobst: Bobst is the global market leader in packaging printing and converting equipment, including die cutting and creasing machines for folding carton and corrugated. It is Highcon's most direct competitor in digital and hybrid die cutting, serving the same converter and brand owner customers with overlapping product portfolios.
- Zünd Systemtechnik: Zünd is a Swiss manufacturer of modular digital cutting systems widely used in packaging, display, and signage production. Its cutting tables compete with Highcon's Beam and Euclid platforms in digital cutting workflows for corrugated and folding carton converters.
- Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems: Kongsberg (now part of Esko/Danaher) makes digital cutting tables for packaging, signage, and display applications. It is a direct competitor to Highcon in corrugated and folding carton digital finishing, often paired with Esko ArtiosCAD software in converter workflows.
Broad incumbents
- Heidelberger Druckmaschinen: Heidelberg is one of the world's largest manufacturers of printing presses and post-press equipment for the packaging and commercial print industries. It competes with Highcon indirectly through integrated offset printing workflows and post-press finishing solutions, though not focused exclusively on digital die cutting.
- Koenig & Bauer: Koenig & Bauer is a major manufacturer of printing and finishing equipment for packaging, including folding carton and corrugated applications. While traditionally focused on presses, its post-press portfolio overlaps with Highcon's digital finishing value proposition at large converters.
- Durst Group: Durst is a manufacturer of digital printing systems and integrated finishing solutions for packaging, ceramics, and industrial applications. Its digital printing and finishing portfolio overlaps with Highcon's corrugated and folding carton target market, particularly at converters investing in end-to-end digital production lines.
- HP Indigo: HP Indigo is the dominant digital press platform for folding cartons and labels, with key Highcon board connections (Benny Landa founded Indigo; Alon Bar-Shany was GM of HP Indigo). HP Indigo presses are commonly paired with Highcon digital die cutting systems in all-digital folding carton production lines.
Others
- Esko (Danaher): Esko is the dominant supplier of prepress and workflow software for packaging (ArtiosCAD, Phoenix, Automation Engine) and is a Highcon technology partner (its CAD Light Editor is powered by Esko/EngView). It is also adjacent competition through its Kongsberg digital cutting tables used in packaging and display finishing.
- BHS Corrugated: BHS Corrugated is the leading global supplier of corrugated cardboard production machinery. It is both a Highcon strategic equity investor and partner (Oct 2023) and an adjacent competitor via its complete corrugator systems; its involvement de-risks Highcon's Vulcan mainstream corrugated roadmap.
Emerging players
- Scodix: Scodix provides digital enhancement and finishing solutions for commercial printers and packaging converters, including UV spot varnish and foil finishing. Adina Shorr (Highcon board member) was formerly CEO of Scodix, indicating direct competitive and strategic overlap in digital finishing for packaging.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights2 records
Customer concentration
Highcon social profiles
Digital presenceHighcon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Highcon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Highcon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Highcon M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Highcon
What does Highcon do?
Highcon develops, manufactures, and supports digital die cutting and creasing machines (Beam 2C, Beam 3, Beam Writer, Beam 2, Euclid 5, Euclid 5C, and forthcoming Vulcan) that replace conventional physical dies for folding carton and corrugated packaging converters. The company also sells recurring DART consumables (polymer, foil, counter), the HighConnect cloud-based performance monitoring platform, and provides installation, training, and post-warranty service contracts.
Is Highcon a public or private company?
Highcon is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Highcon founded?
Highcon was founded in 2009. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Highcon based?
Highcon is headquartered in Yavne, Israel, in the Middle East region.
How does Highcon make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Digital Die Cutting Systems (Hardware) is the primary driver. The others are consumables (DART Materials), professional Services & Onboarding and service Contracts & Extended Warranty.
Who are Highcon's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bobst, Zünd Systemtechnik and Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems. Broad incumbents are Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, Koenig & Bauer, Durst Group and HP Indigo. Others are Esko (Danaher) and BHS Corrugated. Scodix is listed as an emerging player.
Does Highcon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Highcon.
What industry is Highcon in?
Highcon's product category is Industrial Digital Die Cutting & Creasing Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALACAL, Paper & Paperboard Packaging Converting & Finishing (Die-Cutting, Gluing, Windowing, Coating), with a secondary code of IMALAKAN, Finishing, Converting & Die-Cutting Services. Its SIC code is 3555.