Gallus Holding
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGallus Holding is a Swiss manufacturer of label-printing and folding-carton presses.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Gallus Holding AG is a Swiss industrial manufacturer headquartered in St. Gallen and focused on equipment for the label-printing and folding-carton sectors. Its principal business is the development and manufacture of printing, converting, and die-cutting presses used by commercial and packaging printers. The company operates as part of the Heidelberg group, following Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG's acquisition of full ownership of the Gallus Group in 2014. The business originated in 1923 as the sole proprietorship Ferdinand Rüesch, Gauger, a scales factory and machine workshop established by Ferdinand Rüesch-Baur. Its move into printing machinery began in 1925, when it produced its first label-printing press. This early specialization gave the company a distinct position in industrial equipment for the production of labels and related packaging materials. Gallus later expanded beyond its domestic market, entering export activity during the mid-1950s. In 1960, it introduced a segment die-cutting unit described in the reference material as a world first, extending its capabilities from printing into integrated converting processes. By 1974, the business employed approximately 220 people and had been converted into a joint-stock company operating as Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG. Its internationalization accelerated from the 1980s onward. A United States subsidiary was established in 1981, creating the company's first direct operating presence outside Switzerland. During the 1990s, Gallus broadened its international network through an investment in Arsoma Druckmaschinen GmbH in Langgöns, Germany, and through the establishment of subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Denmark between 1992 and 1996. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG first acquired a 30 percent interest in the Gallus Group in 1999. The relationship ultimately became a full acquisition, completed in 2014 after Heidelberg's management approved the transaction. Gallus therefore became a wholly owned Heidelberg subsidiary while retaining its identity as a specialist provider of label and packaging-printing machinery. Gallus expanded its product scope in 2006 through the acquisition of BHS Druck- und Veredelungstechnik GmbH in Weiden, Germany. The acquired company was renamed Gallus Stanz- und Druckmaschinen GmbH in 2008 and became associated with the group's Folding Carton division. This added folding-carton equipment to Gallus's established label-printing activities and strengthened its role in packaging-converting machinery. In July 2020, Heidelberg announced an agreement to sell Gallus to Swiss Benpac Holding AG. The proposed transaction was canceled in January 2021. The available reference material does not provide further information about Gallus's subsequent corporate structure, financial performance, product specifications, or current management. On the documented record, Gallus remains an industrial brand associated with specialized printing and converting presses within the Heidelberg group.
History
Gallus traces its origins to 1923, when Ferdinand Rüesch-Baur founded the sole proprietorship Ferdinand Rüesch, Gauger, in Switzerland. The original business combined a scales factory with a machine workshop. In 1925, it produced its first label-printing press, establishing the technical direction that would eventually define the company. The company began exporting during the mid-1950s. Its product development broadened in 1960 with the introduction of a segment die-cutting unit, identified in the available reference material as a world first. Die-cutting added an important converting capability to the company's printing machinery and helped position Gallus as a supplier of more integrated equipment for label production. By 1974, the enterprise had grown to approximately 220 employees. It was converted into a joint-stock company and adopted the name Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG. The business then developed a more direct international presence. In 1981, it established a subsidiary in the United States, its first direct overseas operation. During the 1990s, Gallus continued this expansion by acquiring an interest in Arsoma Druckmaschinen GmbH in Langgöns, Germany, and establishing subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Denmark between 1992 and 1996. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG entered the ownership structure in 1999 by acquiring a 30 percent share of the Gallus Group. The partnership eventually became a full acquisition. In 2014, after approval by Heidelberg's management board, Heidelberg completed the purchase of the remaining interest, turning Gallus into a wholly owned subsidiary. The group's activities expanded into folding-carton equipment in 2006, when Gallus acquired BHS Druck- und Veredelungstechnik GmbH in Weiden, Germany. In 2008, the acquired operation was renamed Gallus Stanz- und Druckmaschinen GmbH and formed a second area of activity for the group alongside its established label-printing business. This organizational change reflected Gallus's broader role in printing and converting machinery for packaging applications. In July 2020, Heidelberg announced a planned sale of Gallus to Swiss Benpac Holding AG. The transaction did not proceed and was canceled in January 2021. The supplied references do not document the reasons for the cancellation or provide subsequent operational, financial, or executive details. The documented history nevertheless establishes Gallus as a Swiss-origin specialist machinery business with a long-standing focus on label printing, die cutting, and folding-carton production, operating within Heidelberg's corporate structure.
- 2021
Sale proposal canceled
[1]The planned sale of Gallus to Benpac was canceled in January.
- 2020
Proposed sale to Benpac
[1]Heidelberg announced an agreement to sell Gallus to Benpac Holding AG.
- 2014
Full acquisition by Heidelberg
[1]Heidelberg completed its acquisition of Gallus, making the company a wholly owned subsidiary.
- 2006
Expansion into folding-carton machinery
[1]Gallus acquired BHS Druck- und Veredelungstechnik GmbH, adding a significant folding-carton and finishing activity.
- 1999
Heidelberg takes a minority stake
[1]Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG acquired a 30 percent interest in Gallus.
- 1981
First United States subsidiary
[1]Gallus established a United States subsidiary, its first direct international operating presence.
- 1974
Conversion into a joint-stock company
[1]After reaching approximately 220 employees, the business became Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG.
- 1960
Segment die-cutting unit introduced
[1]Gallus introduced a segment die-cutting unit described as a world-first product development.
- 1955
Entry into export markets
[1]The business began developing export activity during the mid-1950s.
- 1925
First label-printing press
[1]The company produced its first label-printing press, beginning its specialization in printing machinery.
Products and positioning
A specialist industrial equipment brand serving label printers, packaging converters, and folding-carton manufacturers with integrated printing and converting machinery.
Label-printing machinery · 1925
Label-printing presses
Gallus's original and defining product area is the manufacture of presses for producing labels. The company began making label-printing presses in 1925 and developed an international business around this specialization. The available reference does not identify individual current press models or technical specifications.
Converting machinery · 1960
Segment die-cutting units
Gallus introduced segment die-cutting equipment in 1960. These units extended the company's capabilities beyond printing into converting processes used in label production. The reference characterizes the 1960 introduction as a world-first development, but does not provide model names or present-day specifications.
Folding-carton machinery · 2006
Folding-carton presses
Folding-carton presses became a second major area of Gallus activity after the 2006 acquisition of BHS Druck- und Veredelungstechnik GmbH. The business was subsequently renamed Gallus Stanz- und Druckmaschinen GmbH. The available material does not specify individual product generations or machine configurations.
Brand decisions
2020
Planned divestment to BenpacM&ABackground
Heidelberg announced a proposed change in ownership for Gallus.
Action taken
Heidelberg announced the planned sale of Gallus to Swiss Benpac Holding AG.
Aftermath
The transaction was canceled in January 2021.
2014
Heidelberg completes the acquisition of GallusM&ABackground
Heidelberg had held a minority position in Gallus since 1999 and later decided to consolidate full ownership.
Action taken
Heidelberg completed the purchase of the remaining Gallus shares.
Aftermath
Gallus became a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG.
2006
Acquisition of BHS Druck- und VeredelungstechnikM&ABackground
Gallus sought to broaden its printing-machinery activities into folding-carton and finishing equipment.
Action taken
Gallus acquired BHS Druck- und Veredelungstechnik GmbH in Weiden, Germany.
Aftermath
The operation was renamed Gallus Stanz- und Druckmaschinen GmbH in 2008 and became part of the Folding Carton division.
1999
Heidelberg acquires a 30 percent Gallus stakeM&ABackground
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG began its ownership relationship with Gallus by purchasing a minority interest in the group.
Action taken
Heidelberg acquired 30 percent of the Gallus Group.
Aftermath
The investment preceded Heidelberg's eventual acquisition of full ownership in 2014.
Sources1 sources
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