Durst Acquires Majority Stake in Vanguard Digital Printing

Durst, a manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies, strengthens its position in the U.S. graphics industry by acquiring a majority stake in Vanguard Digital Printing Systems, headquartered in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Vanguard Digital is a manufacturer of printing systems for the signage, decoration, corporate, industrial, and packaging sectors. With the acquisition, Durst adds new printer classes to its large-format portfolio, while Vanguard now has a global distribution and service network and technical resources to continue developing solutions.

“Vanguard Digital Printing Systems is a rapidly growing and very successful company in a customer segment in which we are currently not active,” says Tim Saur, president of Durst North America. “Through the combination of high-quality products, a strong management team, and absolute customer orientation, both companies are a perfect match.”

As part of the agreement, the new company will operate as Vanguard Durst Digital Printing Systems, effective Oct. 1. David Cich remains CEO while Jim Peterson continues to serve as vice president of sales.

“It is with great humbleness and excitement that Vanguard Digital will now be a part of the world-class, industry-leading Durst Group,” adds David Cich, CEO of Vanguard Digital Printing Systems. “Becoming part of the Durst Group Family provides Vanguard Digital the opportunity to expand its portfolio of innovative market-leading UV printers to the entire world.”

“Vanguard’s printing systems have rightly achieved rapid growth and high customer acceptance in the North American market,” explains Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of the Durst Group. “Despite the global pandemic, we are positioning ourselves for the long term and are determined to invest in the large-format graphics market. In addition, with our technical expertise, Vanguard will continue to ensure that its products and services are industry-leading and a wider customer base will understand what it is like to be part of the Durst family.”