Daetwyler SwissTec, at the recently concluded Plast India 2026, showcased advanced doctoring technologies, including the ‘Long Life Pro’ doctor blade (introduced at drupa 2024), and highlighted their newly acquired Cheshire anilox technology.
Headquartered in Switzerland, Daetwyler manufactures all its coated doctor blades exclusively at its Swiss production facility. The company subsidiaries in India, China, and the US produce uncoated doctor blades for their respective regional markets.
According to Markus Resing, deputy head of marketing and sales at Daetwyler SwissTec, the products highlighted at the show represent Daetwyler’s continued focus on durability and performance in demanding printing applications. Rohit Dhote, managing director, Daetwyler India, said that the Long Life Pro blade, introduced at drupa 2024, is now being promoted aggressively in India. Alongside it, the company showcased its end seals range.
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Another highlight Resing talked about in our conversation was Daetwyler’s recent acquisition of Cheshire Anilox Technology, a UK-based anilox manufacturer. The acquisition was officially announced in January 2026 following completion at the end of last year. With anilox rollers, Daetwyler can provide an integrated package comprising doctor blades, anilox rollers, and end seals. “We are now able to supply the whole set – anilox rollers, doctor blades, and end seals for printers in flexo printing.”
Dhote pointed out that Plast India remains a critical engagement platform for the Indian subsidiary. Since taking over leadership in 2024, he has focused on consolidating growth in the steadily expanding packaging market. “In India, the packaging industry is growing at roughly around 6–7%,” he said realistically, attributing this to rising income levels and increasing demand for packaged food products. In line with industry expansion, “Our sales are also growing approximately 7–8% year-on-year.”
Dhote noted that rising input costs are placing pressure on the value chain. “The prices for copper are going up, so all the pressure is now coming on the prices of the consumables,” he explained. While this affects price sensitivities, he maintained that the long-term prospects remain strong, particularly with the gradual growth of flexographic printing in India, a subject mentioned by various OEMs at the show.
From a global standpoint, Resing described a mixed but overall positive outlook. “The packaging market is still growing, not the same worldwide,” he remarked. Growth in Asia and Africa remains robust, while Europe and North America are comparatively stable. He also pointed to a structural shift in printing technologies. “Switching a bit from rotogravure more to flexo printing—that’s what we see from our side.”
Resing further noted, “Our biggest challenges are the political situation in many countries,” citing tariffs, financial restrictions, and exchange rate fluctuations. Even so, he expressed confidence in the company’s preparedness, “Product-wise, we are well prepared. We will be the market leader in the next few years, also for doctor blades.”
Looking ahead, Daetwyler plans to deepen its investment in the anilox business. Resing said that the company intends to establish an additional production plant in the United States, recognizing, “The US is the biggest market for flexo printing.” The move is expected to strengthen its supply capabilities in North America while enhancing responsiveness to customer needs.
For India, Dhote indicated that the immediate focus will be on flexo growth and phased introduction of the Cheshire anilox portfolio. “We look forward to getting Cheshire anilox rollers for sale in India after we have the complete roadmap from the subsidiaries,” he said, signalling a structured expansion strategy.
Resing concluded by highlighting what he believes differentiates Daetwyler in a competitive marketplace. “The way we do business is that we treat both our partners and also end customers like partners,” he stated. “These are not just customers, these are our partners.” Through strong technical support and solution-oriented engagement, the company continues to create long-term value rather than transactional relationships.
