中文For the fourth consecutive year, Durst Group and its subsidiary Vanguard Digital Printing Systems have dominated the PRINTING United Alliance Pinnacle Awards, collecting 13 trophies that span nearly half of all output categories for 2026. The achievement underscores the Brixen-based manufacturer’s relentless push to innovate across every major digital print discipline — from label presses and textile printers to flatbed UV systems and workflow software.
A Streak That Defines Industry Leadership
Tim Saur, President and Managing Director of Durst North America Group, described the recognition as an incredible honour that reinforces what has defined the company for nine decades: an unwavering commitment to developmental expertise, precision and performance. “These awards are more than a reflection of where we are today; they are a testament to the ingenuity of our teams and a preview of the innovations that will shape the future of our industry,” Saur said.
The Pinnacle Awards programme evaluates products that improve or advance printing through exceptional innovation, functionality and performance. A panel of industry experts assesses entries across a wide range of categories, making the breadth of Durst and Vanguard’s wins particularly notable. Durst North America captured five awards, while Vanguard Digital Printing Systems secured eight — making it once again the most awarded individual manufacturer in the programme.
Durst’s Five Award-Winning Products
Durst’s wins illustrate the company’s ability to deliver across fundamentally different print applications. The Tau G3 Peak earned the Digital – roll-to-roll label press (inkjet) category, confirming Durst’s strong position in the fast-growing digital label segment where speed, registration accuracy and colour consistency are paramount.
The P5 350 TEX iSUB won Roll-to-Roll Direct Disperse Ink on Textile, proving that Durst’s direct-disperse technology has matured into a production-grade solution for textile decorators seeking to eliminate transfer paper waste and reduce water consumption.
In the flatbed and hybrid space, the Durst P5 X took UV/Latex Flatbed ($200K–$500K), and the P5 350 HS won UV/Latex Hybrid (more than $500K). Together, these products address the sign-and-display and industrial décor markets where print providers demand both substrate versatility and high-volume throughput.
Perhaps the most strategically significant win was Durst Workflow – Label, recognised in the Software – Variable and Transactional category. As label converters increasingly rely on integrated digital workflows to manage short runs and versioned content, Durst’s software platform has become a differentiator that ties its hardware offerings into a cohesive production ecosystem.
Vanguard’s Eight Awards Signal Growth Trajectory
Vanguard Digital Printing Systems, which Durst acquired in 2022, continued its award-winning tradition with eight Pinnacle trophies spanning roll-to-roll, flatbed and hybrid UV printing. Jim Peterson, COO and founding partner of Vanguard, emphasised that the recognition goes beyond product quality to reflect a deeper commitment to helping customers succeed and grow. “We will continue to use our passion and innovation to raise the bar for what’s possible for our customers, for us, and for our industry,” Peterson said.
Vanguard’s wins covered machines across price tiers — from the compact VR5D-E (under $70K) to the high-volume VK3220T-HS production-class flatbed — demonstrating that the brand delivers value from entry-level through industrial-scale operations. The VKH900-HS winning the UV/Latex Hybrid ($100K–$500K) category and the VKR3200-HS taking Roll-to-Roll UV (over 80 in.) further confirmed Vanguard’s expanding footprint in wide-format and grand-format applications.
What the Awards Mean for the Market
The combined 13 wins across two complementary brands send a clear signal: Durst Group is not merely maintaining its lead — it is widening it. By winning in software alongside hardware, and in textile alongside signage, the company demonstrates that its innovation engine operates across verticals rather than remaining siloed in a single discipline.
Implications for Converters and Investors
For converters evaluating capital investments, the breadth of Pinnacle recognition across Durst and Vanguard’s product lines offers useful decision support. Awards judged by independent experts against published criteria provide third-party validation that extends beyond manufacturer marketing claims — a distinction that matters in a market where hardware investments often exceed $500,000 and production consequences of poor equipment selection can persist for years.
The combined 13 wins also suggest that Durst Group’s acquisition strategy is delivering results. Vanguard Digital Printing Systems, acquired in 2022, has grown from a specialist flatbed manufacturer into a multi-category award winner, reflecting the operational and product development investments that Durst has made in the brand. The complementary positioning — Durst focused on high-end label, textile and workflow solutions; Vanguard addressing the broader flatbed and hybrid market — creates a product portfolio that covers virtually every digital print application from entry-level through industrial production.
As the industry transitions toward automated, AI-enhanced production environments, companies demonstrating cross-disciplinary innovation are positioned to lead the next transformation wave. Durst’s stated focus on “bold new ideas and a clear vision for the future” suggests that the 2026 awards may preview deeper changes ahead.
Source: WhatTheyThink, “Durst Group Extends Industry-Leading Streak by Earning 13 Pinnacle Awards,” July 22, 2026.
