Berhalter

1. In today’s rapidly globalizing market, how does BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting balance its strong Swiss engineering heritage with the evolving demands of international customers?

Our Swiss engineering heritage is a foundational strength, but it is not static. At BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting, we see it as a living standard of excellence that guides how we innovate globally. What distinguishes us is the ability to combine uncompromising precision and reliability with a sharp awareness of customer-specific needs across diverse markets. Whether it’s compliance with regional standards, production scalability, or integration into local supply chains, we adapt without compromising on quality. That is how we transform heritage into forward momentum.

2. How do you see precision engineering and die-cutting evolving over the next 5–10 years, and where do you think BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting’s role will be most impactful?

Precision engineering will become increasingly digital, interconnected, and automated. Die-cutting, traditionally seen as a mechanical process, is evolving into a smart production hub driven by sensors, industrial data, and digital control systems. BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting’s role will be to set new benchmarks for intelligent punching. With our Swiss Die-Cutter systems and the CUTcontrol IIoT platform, we are already enabling real-time process optimization, predictive maintenance, and seamless data exchange. Over the next decade, we will continue to lead this shift from mechanical precision to digitally enhanced manufacturing across industries and regions.

3. What are the biggest challenges for manufacturers when adopting high-tech punching systems, and how can the industry collectively address them?

The key challenges are operational, not just technical. Manufacturers often struggle with change management, integration into legacy systems, and building up digital competencies internally. The industry must respond by lowering the barrier to entry. Intuitive user interfaces, modular platforms, and integrated training ecosystems are essential. At BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting, we work closely with our customers to ensure that technology adoption is frictionless. That means hands-on support, phased implementation, and a service model that goes well beyond installation.

4. With the integration of robotics and digital platforms into die-cutting, what shifts do you foresee in human-machine collaboration in the future?

We are seeing a shift from manual assistance to smart orchestration. Human-machine collaboration will increasingly rely on intuitive interfaces, automated adjustments, and integrated feedback systems. Our BEAMstack robotic systems already demonstrate this shift. They handle material with consistency, free up operators for higher-value tasks, and adapt to format changes with minimal intervention. This kind of collaboration is not about replacing people, it is about elevating their role in a more responsive and efficient production environment.

5. Can you share your perspective on how digitalization and smart technologies are redefining efficiency and quality benchmarks in die-cutting?

The traditional KPIs are being expanded. Output speed and uptime remain important, but now we measure performance by data accuracy, traceability, energy efficiency, and adaptability to small batch production. With CUTcontrol, for example, we provide customers with a digital twin of their punching process. That enables a higher level of operational insight, from error detection to performance benchmarking, and ultimately raises both efficiency and quality to new levels. Digitalization is giving manufacturers a clearer understanding of what is happening in their systems and how to improve it.

6. In your view, what role will sustainability play in the next generation of punching solutions and production systems?

Sustainability is no longer optional. It is a driver of innovation. From energy consumption and material waste to recyclability and lifecycle management, every aspect of production is under scrutiny. At BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting, we design systems that optimize material yield, support alternative and biodegradable materials, and reduce energy usage through smarter drive and control systems. But sustainability also means longevity, and our machines are built to last, with upgrade paths that extend their lifecycle in a circular economy.

7. What are the most critical cultural or organizational shifts companies must make to remain innovative in a fast-changing industrial landscape?

Agility must become part of the culture. In fast-moving markets, the ability to pivot, prototype, and scale quickly is crucial. This requires decentralizing decision-making, empowering technical teams, and fostering collaboration across disciplines. At BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting, we have built a culture that encourages experimentation and close customer engagement, so innovation happens where it is needed most. On the factory floor, at the machine interface, or during real-time production troubleshooting.

8. How do you see training and workforce development evolving as advanced automation and digitalization become more prevalent in manufacturing?

The focus will shift from static skillsets to continuous learning. As automation takes over routine tasks, workers will need to develop digital competencies, from interface navigation to basic data interpretation. Training will be modular, on-demand, and increasingly integrated into the systems themselves. That is why we are embedding intuitive guidance and diagnostics directly into our HMIs, and offering remote learning options. The goal is not just to operate the machine, but to understand the system.

9. What mindset or skills do you believe future engineers and technicians will need to thrive in this sector?

A systems-thinking mindset will be key, the ability to see the interaction between mechanics, software, and process flow. Skills in data analytics, digital tools, and automation will be increasingly important. But just as critical is the ability to communicate across disciplines, to collaborate with IT, operations, and design. At BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting, we value people who are not just technically skilled, but also adaptive and solution-oriented. That is the future of engineering leadership.

10. As customer expectations increase with technological change, how should die-cutting manufacturers prepare to serve both established and emerging markets?

Flexibility is crucial, not just in our products but in our business models. Established markets often demand high levels of automation and data integration. Emerging markets prioritize robustness and upgradeability. With our modular systems, like the B4 and B6 Swiss Die-Cutter series, we are able to offer tailored configurations that evolve with the customer. The ability to scale features and services over time is how BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting serves both segments with equal commitment.

11. From your perspective, what are the most significant shifts in the global packaging and converting industries driving demand for smarter punching systems?

We see rising demand for personalization, shorter product life cycles, and environmentally conscious packaging. These trends require more adaptable, faster, and leaner production systems. Die-cutting must now support frequent format changes, reduced material usage, and integration with upstream and downstream digital systems. BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting addresses this with smart automation, fast changeover capabilities, and integrated IIoT functionality, enabling customers to stay competitive in a rapidly shifting market.

12. How important is collaboration, whether with customers, suppliers, or technology partners, in shaping the future of die-cutting solutions?

It is absolutely essential. The complexity of modern production systems means no single company has all the answers. At BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting, we take a partnership approach, whether it is co-developing tooling with material suppliers, integrating third-party software into our platforms, or working with customers during early development phases to ensure that every solution is engineered to fit both their technical and strategic goals.

Collaboration also extends to universities and colleges of applied sciences, where we actively engage in knowledge exchange, joint research projects, and the development of future-focused technologies. These partnerships play a vital role in shaping the next generation of die-cutting solutions by combining academic expertise with real-world industrial challenges.

Collaboration accelerates innovation and ensures long-term relevance across the entire value chain.

13. What excites you the most about the next phase of BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting’s journey in high-tech engineering?

What excites me is the opportunity to redefine what is possible in our field. We are no longer limited by mechanical constraints. We are working with real-time data, digital connectivity, and smarter system integration. The next phase will bring fully adaptable systems, cloud-based performance monitoring, and new levels of process control. But more than that, it is about impact. Helping our customers run more efficient, sustainable, and future-ready operations. That is what drives us.

14. If you had to define the “personal masterpiece” of the future for the die-cutting industry, what would it look like?

It would be an end-to-end intelligent system that self-configures based on order parameters, minimizes material usage, and operates with real-time monitoring connected to the broader production environment. A system that is flexible enough to handle new materials, yet robust enough for 24/7 high-volume output. All of this within a compact, energy-efficient footprint, built on the principles of Swiss engineering and globally oriented usability. That is the vision, and it is already taking shape at BERHALTER Swiss Die-Cutting.