Cab is a market leader in automated and highly precise labeling and Europe’s largest manufacturer of label printing systems. The company’s headquarters since 1999 is Karlsruhe Technology Park, an estate of high-tech businesses. Thousands of new units are shipped from the Sommerda facility near Erfurt every year all over the world. Global players and SMEs operate the label printers, applicators, label dispensers and marking lasers. 430 employees at subsidiaries in Germany, France, North and Central America, Asia and South Africa assure comprehensive sales and reliable support. 850 sales partners enhance the high availability of devices, spare parts and service.

Company founder Klaus Bardutzky and his son Alexander decided for smart solutions in labeling early on and designed cab units accordingly. Long before Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing and the IIoT became key terms of production cross-linked with modern information technologies, their printing systems had been known for intelligent firmware, quick stand-alone printing and manifold data exchange. Cab equipment can be directly installed into automation and robot solutions. If operated in a network, label data can be identified, assigned, linked and recorded specifically to productive processes or consumer applications, and critical conditions, performance and print cycles can be continuously analyzed. Accelerated communication processes, higher productivity and quality and less costs for end consumers are benefits in manufacture and the logistics of a business.

Increasingly automated processes, networking and new regulations are driving the demands for optimum labeling solutions. Mordor Intelligence forecasts the global label market worth around 54 billion US$ by 2029, which means an average annual growth of 4.9 % from 2024. Automotive components can be tracked to the smallest screw. Deliveries are on schedule in logistics. Plates on electrical devices display performance data and use. Labeling prevents from errors relevant to health on pharmaceuticals. Risks associated with a chemical product are indicated multi-colored and without any barrier as regards language. Food items notify about ingredients and textiles inform about best possible care.

Klaus Bardutzky, born in 1942, studied precision engineering. In spring 1975, he started developing components and means of production for the electronics industry in Karlsruhe on customers’ behalf. He also designed matrix printers for labeling. cab was born. Alexander Bardutzky joined in 1999 after graduating as an industrial engineer. Since 2009, he has been managing the company in the second generation and today holds the majority of the shares. He is responsible for sales, marketing, controlling, human resources and accounting.