A Swedish family business focused on short runs and local service 

Founded in 1911, FG Larsson is a Swedish family business based in Örebro, today run by the fourth generation. With a team of four, the company relies on proximity, reactivity and flexibility to serve local customers. Its operations combine commercial printing and label printing, with a focus on short-run label printing and very short runs for customers in the food and drinks sector. 

In a market where orders are shorter, more varied and urgent, the company had to keep subcontracting out some of its food label production. This made it harder to respond quickly and to keep control. The logical next step was therefore to move to in-house digital label printing, enabling production on site, greater flexibility, shorter lead times, better cost control and closer customer service.  

“Orders have become smaller and smaller, while customers want their labels delivered as fast as possible. By bringing our production in-house, we can be more flexible and fast,” said Magnus Lamke, Owner of FG Larsson. 

However, the small company faced the common challenge digital label printing: funding a digital production press. The entry cost for in-house label printing often requires a major capital investment. This can be difficult to justify without guaranteed volumes and may be risky in a fast-changing label market. FG Larsson had previous experience working with a Xeikon toner press before moving to an inkjet solution. Nevertheless, its experience with the inkjet was not entirely satisfactory, due to more complex maintenance, less predictable print quality and onerous management of inkjet waste. 

“The toner is far easier. Not just for printing, but also for everything associated with the machine. The waste contains no dangerous materials. That’s a huge benefit,” said Magnus Lamke. 

In his opinion, toner technology was still the best choice. But how could the company benefit from toner-based digital label printing without carrying the full financial burden? 

Why FG Larsson chose Xeikon Ecolyne for in-house digital label printing 

Beyond returning to toner, FG Larsson was looking for a solution adapted to its own production needs. For the company’s volumes, applications and local focus, Xeikon Ecolyne offered several compelling advantages: food-compliant toner, reliable print quality and compatibility with different substrates. In some cases, varnish is not always necessary, which can further simplify production. 

FG Larsson also looked at the various options available for different production volumes. For a small company with a staff of four, it can be hard to justify purchasing a conventional digital label press. The Xeikon Ecolyne press proved to be the logical choice, both because of its toner technology and because of its economic model. The system enables in-house food label printing without immediately tying up large amounts of capital, while also giving the company a clear overview of its monthly costs. 

A subscription model: digital label printing capacity on demand 

This is why the Ecolyne model makes so much sense. Xeikon presents the press as a solution for digital label printing capacity on demand. So FG Larsson’s production capacity is linked to a subscription that includes the press, service, maintenance and consumables, all within a more predictable framework when compared to a traditional investment. 

FG Larsson sees this subscription model a clear benefit, enabling better cost control and making in-house label production easier to plan. “I know how much this will cost me each month and the cost for each label produced. That brings peace of mind. My goal is to grow and call on another type of financing. It’s a good start,” he added. This press allows the company to test the market and later consider other financing options as and when the business grows. 

Yet the subscription model was not the only factor behind FG Larsson’s choice of Xeikon Ecolyne. First and foremost, the company wanted to return to a toner technology suited to its production volumes, applications and ambition to produce food labels locally. 

From easier production to new market opportunities 

Within the first few weeks of production, it became clear that the decision was the right one. Magnus Lamke highlights how easily the press achieves high quality. Getting started with the Ecolyne was fast and smooth, whereas some technologies require more adjustments. For a small team, this ease of use is important and contribute directly to boosting productivity on a daily basis. 

In addition to the printing quality, FG Larsson is impressed by the overall workflow simplicity. This new organisation brings the flexibility that the company envisaged initially: the ability to produce small runs more quickly, to better respond to urgent requests and to offer a service more adapted to customers’ actual needs. 

This new production capacity also opens up new business opportunities. Magnus Lamke sees food-safe toner as a key advantage for his customers and a way to truly drive business development, especially for small local food producers looking for a nearby partner capable of delivering short-run food label printing that meets industry requirements. 

The company also foresees working in more niche areas, among them labels for private-label wineries or printing on more specialised substrates. Large converters sometimes turn down this kind of work due to the limited volumes, but it is ideally suited to agile local players like FG Larsson. 

A strategic step in a changing label market 

Besides its technology, Xeikon Ecolyne allows FG Larsson to stand out from the crowd in its region. In a market where local food production is growing but where volumes often remain small, the company gains a real competitive advantage through its ability to serve customers locally, quickly and  with flexibility.  

By investing in the Xeikon Ecolyne, FG Larsson has successfully adapted its business model to keep pace with changes in the label market, with short-run label printing, extra business opportunities, the ability to meet tighter deadlines and greater production flexibility. 

This Swedish family business has turned in-house digital label printing into drivers for growth, differentiation and customer proximity. With the Xeikon Ecolyne, FG Larsson can now produce short-run food labels in-house, improve cost control and respond faster to the needs of its local market.