Dunav Press: 162 Years of Tradition Meets Cutting-Edge Technology

A Legacy Built on Print

When a printing house founded in 1864 makes a significant technology investment, it carries a weight of history few companies can match. Dunav Press in Russe, Bulgaria, the oldest printing house in the country, recently marked a milestone with the installation of its first Komori press, and celebrated the occasion in style with an open-house event that drew nearly 180 guests from across Europe. From producing the first printed books on Bulgarian soil to becoming one of the ten largest pharmaceutical folding box producers in Europe, the company's journey is one of remarkable reinvention.

The Decision to Switch

Managing Director Nikolay Alexiev, who has steered the company since 2010 and successfully refocused it entirely on pharmaceutical packaging, made the bold decision to move away from a longstanding competitor relationship of over 25 years.

The move was driven by a compelling combination of economics and trust, with Komori's CEO Thomas Heininger playing a pivotal role in building that confidence. Heininger's personal engagement with Alexiev went beyond a standard sales process, fostering a relationship built on transparency and a shared vision for what modern pharmaceutical print production should look like. Working alongside local distributor PRINT Solutions GmbH, this partnership approach ultimately proved decisive.

"The main reason we bought Komori is the trust," Alexiev explains. "And then, of course, the economical figures, the level of production costs."

Performance and Sustainability in Focus

For Dunav Press, which produces up to 800 million pharmaceutical folding boxes annually and counts Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Romania among its export markets, production efficiency is paramount. Lower setup costs, reduced material waste and competitive total cost of ownership all tipped the scales in Komori's favour. The press entered industrial production in April, and early indicators are already confirming expectations, particularly around setup sheet savings, which directly supports the company's sustainability commitments.

Sustainability is no afterthought at Dunav Press. The company generates 40% of its annual energy consumption from a rooftop solar installation of 1220 solarpanels, backed by 500 kilowatts of battery storage. The new Komori press also introduced full inline inspection, what Alexiev describes as the highest standard of inline quality control available within a printing press today, elevating an already rigorous pharmaceutical production environment still further.

Celebrating in Style

To mark the investment, Dunav Press hosted a landmark open-house event celebrating 162 years of the company's history. Partners and clients arrived from across the continent to witness live production across multiple presses and finishing lines. In a particularly touching gesture, the families of employees were also invited, giving loved ones a rare and memorable glimpse into the world-class facility where their relatives work every day.

The evening concluded with a Bulgarian-language performance of The Mask of Zorro, a cultural treat that left international guests with an experience distinctly off the beaten track. Long-serving employees, some with over 50 years at the company, were personally recognised on stage by Alexiev himself. A moment that spoke volumes about the human values at the heart of this historic business.

"They came back with more confidence and trust in Dunav Press," he reflects. "They came back in a very good mood. That is the most important thing."

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