Our history
Reliable & competent since 1978.
Consistency for decades
For decades, Förster Etiketten has combined traditional craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology to meet global demands as a family-run business.
Consistency for decades
The success story of Förster Etiketten began in 1978 with the company’s founding by Jürgen Förster in Denkendorf, Baden-Württemberg. The first printing press, a VIKING DOMINATOR 25/2 built in 1960, ran around the clock to meet growing customer demand.
As early as 1979, the company diversified into the production of lithographic needles and hired its first employee.
At the same time, a separate prepress department for film editing and phototypesetting was created, which laid the foundation for later innovations.
Growth and expansion
In the 1980s, site expansions and technical investments shaped development.
In 1983, the company moved to a new residential and commercial building at Berliner Straße 5 to create more production space.
The Förster family actively integrated itself: The children Claudia, Birgit and Wolfgang took on their first areas of responsibility, from prepress to production.
In 1988, UL approval as a label printer followed, a milestone for international safety standards
Certifications and technological change
This decade was marked by quality assurance and digitalization.
In 1996, Förster introduced IT systems to optimize processes.
In 1999, ISO 9002 certification followed, establishing the company as a reliable partner in the industry.
In addition, the machinery was expanded to include screen printing systems, which expanded the product range for demanding applications.
Sustainability and structural decisions
The 2000s brought ecological and organizational changes.
In 2004, the sole proprietorship was converted into a GmbH & Co. KG, and Inge Förster retired after 26 years.
With PEFC certification (2009) and CO₂-neutral production, the company positioned itself as a pioneer in environmental protection.
Biodegradable materials and the switch to green electricity underline this course.
Digitalization and Industry 4.0
In the 2010s, Förster drove digital transformation.
In 2017, investments were made in digital printing and a modern ERP system.
The 40th anniversary in 2018 was marked by the complete digitalization of processes – from print image control to logistics.
Multi-layer labels and labels with variable data expanded the portfolio.
Crisis management and visions for the future
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the company remained stable.
In 2022, Birgit Förster took over as sole managing director and focused on digital work processes.
Investments in sustainable labels and the participation of Sergio Di Fabio (2024) demonstrate the focus on innovation and international cooperation.
Today, the 20-person team produces over 300 million labels annually – a testament to continuous adaptability.