HELL Gravure Systems

Name

HELL Gravure Systems

Legal name

HELL Gravure Systems GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://hell-gravure-systems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

HELL Gravure Systems manufactures prepress engraving systems for the global printing industry, offering electromechanical (HelioKlischograph) and direct laser (Cellaxy, PremiumSetter D2000) platforms serving flexible packaging, tobacco, decorative, security, and flexographic printing customers. Part of Heliograph Holding, distributed via 25+ regional sales partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kiel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Gravure Engraving Systems: Sale of electromechanical engraving machines (HelioKlischograph K5, K5 Smart, K5 Auto, K500) and direct laser engraving systems (Cellaxy, PremiumSetter D2000) for prepress applications in packaging, tobacco, decorative, and security printing.
2. Software Solutions: Sale of frontend software including HelioCom and HelioDisk for cylinder layout creation and job preparation, along with specialized software modules like CellCreator, HQH, and MultiTune.
3. Customer Support and Maintenance: Comprehensive technical support including telephone support, remote service, software updates, spare parts supply, and engraving head maintenance services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

HELL Gravure Systems manufactures and sells prepress engraving systems for the printing industry, principally electromechanical engraving machines under the HelioKlischograph family (K5, K5 Smart, K5 Auto, K500, K5 Smart XXL/3XL) and direct laser engraving platforms (Cellaxy, PremiumSetter D2000). The systems are used to produce gravure cylinders, embossing cylinders, and elastomer printing forms for packaging, decorative, tobacco, security, and relief printing applications. The company also supplies supporting frontend software (HelioCom, HelioDisk) and comprehensive maintenance, training, and remote service worldwide.

Product overview

HELL Gravure Systems offers a comprehensive portfolio of engraving systems for prepress printing form production. The product lineup includes two primary technology platforms: electromechanical engraving via the HelioKlischograph series (K5, K5 Smart, K5 Auto, K500, and large-format K5 Smart XXL/3XL variants), and direct laser engraving via Cellaxy and PremiumSetter D2000. Supporting products include HD Gravure quality enhancement software, intelligent adjustment systems (Multitune, CellGuard, CellEye, SprintEasy), specialty engraving modes (XtremeEngraving, CellCreator), quality documentation (Certified Engraving), frontend software (HelioDisk, HelioCom), cleaning equipment (FlexiClean), and specialized engraving systems (HelioSprint 2/3). The company also provides the integrated 'Plate on demand' platform combining elastomers, laser engraving, and cleaning from group companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cellaxy Universal laser platform for high-end gravure printing and embossing using up to two 600W fiber lasers for direct laser engraving of gravure cylinders at resolutions up to 5080 dpi (2000 l/cm) and engraving depths up to 4000 μm. Targeted at enterprise packaging printers and embossing converters.
• HelioKlischograph K5 Entry-level 9 kHz HelioKlischograph electromechanical engraving machine equipped with HelioSprint 2 broadband engraving system and HD engraving quality, upgradeable to K5 Smart or K5 Auto. Targeted at gravure converters seeking an accessible entry point to cylinder engraving.
• HelioKlischograph K5 Smart Versatile allround HelioKlischograph available in 9 or 12 kHz variants with HD engraving quality, 1-button operation, and upgrade path to fully automatic K5 Auto. Standard equipment includes HelioSprint 2, CellEye, SprintEasy, and Certified Engraving for enterprise gravure production.
• HelioKlischograph K5 Auto Fully automatic HelioKlischograph engraving machine for integration into the AutoCon automated production line, featuring HD Gravure and Certified Engraving for high-quality, automated cylinder production in enterprise gravure facilities.
• HelioKlischograph K500 High-end HelioKlischograph with up to 24 kHz engraving speed, HelioSprint III 12 kHz high-performance system, Twain multi-head engraving, linear drive, and all HD Gravure features. Targeted at the most demanding high-volume packaging gravure operations.
• HelioKlischograph K5 Smart XXL Large-format HelioKlischograph for engraving cylinders with total length over 5 m, using CellEye calibration for high reproducibility. Targeted at decorative printing converters requiring oversized cylinder engraving.
• HelioKlischograph K5 Smart 3XL Very large-format HelioKlischograph for engraving cylinders up to 6 m in total length, available in 9 or 12 kHz with HD Engraving, assistance functions, and CellEye calibration. Targeted at industrial decorative and large-format gravure converters.
• PremiumSetter D2000 Large-format laser engraving system for direct laser engraving of elastomer printing forms at resolutions up to 5080 dpi, with controllable 3D relief formation. Supports dry offset, letterpress, flexographic printing, coating plates, and digital photopolymer printing forms (LAMS). Available in PLATE, SLEEVE, and HYBRID configurations for enterprise flexo, dry-offset, and security printers.
• Plate on Demand Complete all-in-one flexographic printing solution combining KARELDIRECT elastomers from Kaspar Graphic Solutions, the PremiumSetter D2000 laser engraver from HELL, and FlexiClean cleaning from Glunz & Jensen. Targeted at enterprise flexo printers seeking a single-vendor workflow.
• HelioCom and HelioDisk Frontend Software Frontend software suite comprising HelioCom workstation for cylinder layout creation in packaging gravure (developed jointly with Esko, with over 500 units installed worldwide) and HelioDisk central job ticket editor for logging, archiving, and pre-calculation of engraving time and ink consumption. Licensed to enterprise gravure printers.
• Customer Support and Maintenance Services Comprehensive technical support for installed HELL engraving systems including telephone support, log file analysis, remote service, software updates, spare parts supply, and engraving head maintenance. Provided globally to enterprise customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cellaxy can image a gravure cylinder up to three times faster than an 8 kHz standard engraving machine
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature13 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• Heliograph Holding GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHELL Gravure Systems is a company of Heliograph Holding. Heliograph Holding is a group of dedicated manufacturers providing solutions from a single source, including Kaspar Graphic Solutions, HELL Gravure Systems, and Glunz & Jensen.
• Kaspar Graphic SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Heliograph Holding's 'Plate on demand' all-in-one solution for flexographic printing, combining Kaspar's elastomers/KARELDIRECT with HELL's PremiumSetter and Glunz & Jensen's FlexiClean.
• Glunz & JensencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides FlexiClean cleaning system for elastomer printing plates as part of the integrated 'Direct Flexo – plate on demand' solution alongside HELL's PremiumSetter.
• Kaspar Graphic Solutions, Inc. (USA)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for USA based in Inman, South Carolina. Contact: Mr. Bob Speiss.
• MDC Max Daetwyler UK LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for United Kingdom based in Sittingbourne, Kent. Contact: Mr. John Bare.
• MDC Max Daetwyler do BrasilregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Brazil based in Sao Paulo.
• MDC Max Daetwyler (Pty.) LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Zimbabwe and South Africa based in Paarl, South Africa.
• Max Daetwyler de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Venezuela based in Naucalpan, Estado de México. Contact: Mr. Hans Gerhard Solterbeck.
• Heliograph Japan K.K.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Japan based in Tokyo, Sumida-ku.
• Heliograph (S.E.A.) Pte. Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Singapore based at 49 Jalan Pemimpin.
• Heliograph (S.E.A.) Pte LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for New Zealand and additional Southeast Asian markets. Contact: Mr. Ee Yih Tai.
• Daetwyler-Hell France SASregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Tunisia and France based in Le Plessis-Belleville, France. Contact: Mr. Jean-Philippe Mouiche.
• Arben Graphische Systeme GmbHregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Serbia based in Vienna, Austria.
• PEKOM TRADE s.r.o.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Slovakia and Czech Republic based in Zlin, Czech Republic. Contact: Mr. Petr Konopasek.
• ERKA s.c.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Poland based in Lomianki near Warsaw. Contact: Mr. Ryszard Krzywicki.
• ADKOW BVregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Netherlands based in Waardenburg.
• E.T.S. International S. r. l.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Vatican based in Garbagnate M.se (MI), Italy. Contact: Mr. Alberto Cantamesse.
• Artekos LLCregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Ukraine based in Dniepro. Contact: Mr. Vladislav Osipov.
• Offlex OyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Sweden (and Finland) based in Vantaa, Finland. Contact: Mr. Juha Pakkanen.
• Graphelectronic HellasregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Greece based in Athens. Contact: Ms. Daniela Delfs.
• OKTOPRINT SERVICE KAZ LLPregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan based in Astana. Contact: Mr. Almas.
• Fotedar Middle East Trading LLCregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Uganda and UAE based in Dubai. Contact: Mr. Fotedar.
• Techno Global Corporation Pte LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Vietnam based in Ho Chi Minh City. Contact: Mr. Ee Yih Tai.
• Techno Converting ServicesregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Yemen and Saudi Arabia based in Dubai, UAE. Contact: Mr. Abed Zin Alabedin (Yemen) and Mr. Karim Samir (Saudi Arabia).
• Matis Ambalaj Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Turkey based in Izmir (AOSB Cigli). Contact: Mr. Yamac Hizver.
• Daetwyler Graphics India Pvt. Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for India based in Pirangut, Pune.
• Kohli Graphic SystemsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for India based in New Delhi. Contact: Mr. Arjun Kohli.
• Genuine Graphics Tech Co., Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Taiwan based in Taichung. Contact: Mr. Owen Hsieh.
• Hen Ming Enterprise Co. Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Taiwan based in Taipei.
• DIGIFLEX CO., LTD.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Thailand based in Bangkok. Contact: Mr. Yong Jongluxmanee.
• KOHELL INTERNATIONAL Co., Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for South Korea based in Anyang-si, Gyeonggido. Contact: Mr. Billy Choi.
• Spicers International Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Philippines based in Makati City. Contact: Mr. Sammy Pimentel.
• Cloud Packaging (Pvt.) LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Pakistan based in Karachi. Contact: Mr. Imran Rehman.
• Trade USA (PVT) Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Sri Lanka based in Malabe. Contact: Mr. Sathis Abeywickrama.
• PT Gunadarma SantikaregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Indonesia based in Jakarta. Contact: Mr. Bambang Harjono.
• Daetwyler Colombia, S.A.S.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Peru and Colombia based in Bogota D.C. Contact: Mr. Hans Gerhard Solterbeck.
• Arprint S.A.A.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Uruguay and Argentina based in Buenos Aires. Contact: Mr. Hugo Baldock.
• E. T. S. International S. r. l. (Italy)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Vatican based in Italy. Contact: Mr. Alberto Cantamesse.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bobst: Large Swiss packaging and printing equipment OEM offering gravure presses, flexo solutions, and tooling; a broader incumbent that competes for converter capex that could otherwise flow to HELL's engraving systems.
• Esko (Danaher): Global leader in packaging prepress software and hardware; partners with HELL on HelioCom, but also offers its own flexo platemaking and workflow solutions that overlap with HELL's prepress stack.
• SCREEN Holdings: Japanese printing systems and direct imaging equipment provider; competes with HELL in direct laser imaging and prepress workflow for commercial and packaging printing.
• Koenig & Bauer (KBA): Established press manufacturer active in packaging, security, and industrial printing; an incumbent alternative to HELL for converters evaluating end-to-end printing and prepress investments.
• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen: Major printing press manufacturer with packaging, label, and flexo segments; competes for capital budgets of converters who are also HELL's customers for engraving equipment.
• Fujifilm: Global supplier of flexo plates, inks, and printing systems; a broad incumbent whose flexo plate-making portfolio overlaps with HELL's PremiumSetter and Plate on demand offering.

Direct peers

• Ohio Gravure Technologies: US-based specialist in gravure cylinder and embossing services with in-house engraving capabilities, directly competing with HELL in the North American gravure prepress market.
• Lüscher AG: Swiss manufacturer of direct laser engraving systems for printing plates and cylinders, competing with HELL's Cellaxy and PremiumSetter D2000 in laser-based prepress for security, packaging, and flexo applications.

Others

• Glunz & Jensen: Sister company within Heliograph Holding that supplies FlexiClean cleaning systems for flexo plates; an ecosystem partner (not a direct competitor) whose products are sold alongside HELL's PremiumSetter in the Plate on demand bundle.
• Kaspar Graphic Solutions: Sister company within Heliograph Holding producing KARELDIRECT elastomer printing forms; a complementary group partner whose plates are engraved by HELL's PremiumSetter D2000, enabling an integrated flexographic workflow.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCoEMHnN1v2inewXwEKLiZkQ/videos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hell-gravure-systems

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HELL Gravure Systems