Swanline Group has expanded its use of BOBST Connect, integrating additional machinery from different manufacturers into the digital platform to improve production monitoring and operational efficiency.
In March 2026, the UK-based supplier of paper-based products, materials and services to the point-of-sale (POS) and packaging sectors became the first company to connect non-Bobst machinery directly to Bobst Connect. The initial integration included two Bobst die-cutters, a Bobst PCR and one non-Bobst die-cutter.
Swanline Group has since extended the platform to include its Bobst FOLIOSTAR laminator, which marked the beginning of its relationship with the suplier, along with two non-Bobst screen printing machines. A further non-Bobst laminator is scheduled to be connected later in 2026, bringing the total number of integrated machines to eight.
The expansion enables Swanline Group to monitor a wider range of production processes through a single platform, including die-cutting, laminating and screen printing. By bringing performance data from different machine manufacturers into one dashboard, the company can compare equipment performance, identify production bottlenecks and improve visibility across its operations.
The integration also provides production managers, operators and commercial teams with access to consistent operational data, regardless of the machinery manufacturer.
The initial Bobst Connect installation has already contributed to a 7% increase in productivity and a 5–10% reduction in unplanned downtime. Extending the system to additional equipment is expected to provide similar opportunities for efficiency improvements across other production processes.
Energy monitoring is also being introduced through the Bobst Connect Data Kit. The expanded integration will enable Swanline Group to collect energy consumption data from a wider range of machinery, supporting its efforts to identify potential energy savings across the production facility.
