Cutting Through The Decades With Kongsberg PCS

What makes Kongsberg PCS stand out in today’s market, and how are you responding to the challenges faced by modern signage producers?

Over the past six decades, Kongsberg PCS has worked closely with its customers with a focus on solving real challenges. From this experience, we know that, for sign-makers, regardless of their specialism, reliability and uptime across all their equipment is a non-negotiable. And whilst innovation is important, it only matters if it’s relevant to the customer’s needs. What sets us apart is the longevity of our technology and the relationships we’ve built – some of our sign industry customers are still running tables installed more than a decade ago.

Over the last decade in particular, the shift towards more interactive digital signage, personalised signage and a growing demand for more sustainable materials has presented a number of challenges throughout the print & cut workflow. This has meant that signage producers have needed to be more adaptable than ever before.

Our recently launched Entro Series is just one example of how we’re supporting sign-makers with versatile and flexible cutting solutions. The new series is designed to bring Kongsberg’s renowned precision and quality to a wider customer base with a more accessible footprint and faster setup. Our customer-first approach also guided the latest release of iPC 3.2, which introduces a more intuitive interface, advanced automation features and smarter material handling capabilities. Both of these are what I like to call ‘purposeful progress’: innovation that improves day-to-day operations without compromising our core values.

How can smarter cutting systems unlock creative potential?

With shorter lead times and tighter margins, sign-makers today need cutting systems that not only solve these issues but also allow them to unlock their creative and commercial potential. Investing in a cutting system that can handle complexity with ease, streamline day-to-day operations and maintain accuracy across a wide range of substrates and job types is crucial.

Businesses can’t afford inefficiency. If a cutting solution slows them down, it impacts the entire operation. Our machines are designed to slot into existing workflows and help users do more with less, whether that’s through automated feeders and stackers, smart vacuum systems or tool databases that adapt to job specifications.

A recent example of how our technology supports businesses to do more is our customer Grey Squirrel Digital, based in New Jersey, USA. In January 2025, they invested in a Kongsberg C24 as a result of their previous solutions not keeping up with required production speeds. They identified Kongsberg as the best fit, allowing them to further scale operations and enter new vertical markets. The company has witnessed immediate gains and is now able to complete production runs up to four minutes faster than the company’s other machines and reduce manual labour and material waste. With this investment, Grey Squirrel Digital is delivering faster, higher-quality products and expanding into new markets such as packaging and trade-show furniture.

Is sustainability driving smarter production and what impact is that having on Kongsberg PCS’ strategy?

Sustainability is no longer just a talking point; it’s shaping how sign-makers invest in technology and how they stand out from competition. And, with tightening industry regulations and ever-changing customer demands, environmental responsibility is increasingly driving procurement decisions. Sign-makers want to cut waste, optimise energy, and invest in long-term solutions.

This is backed by wider market data. For example, according to the FESPA Print Census 2023, 72 percent of print buyers now prioritise environmentally friendly products and practices, highlighting how sustainability is increasingly non-negotiable for sign-makers. As a result, there is a clear shift toward strategic investment in smarter, sustainable workflows.

We’re here to support our users’ sustainability journey. At Kongsberg, we have an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework embedded across all areas of our machine design and manufacturing. We build from the ground up, improving energy efficiency and workflow with sustainability always in mind. While we can never truly predict the future, for Kongsberg, designing cutting solutions that allow sign-makers to stay profitable while meeting their environmental goals is essential.

Where is digital cutting heading next?

As the market evolves, the focus won’t just be on sustainability but on solutions driven by automation, intelligence, and faster turnarounds. The industry is already moving in this direction. Over 55 percent of manufacturers adopting digital cutting systems are focused on reducing waste and improving production speed , showing how automation is not only a way to keep up but a strategic tool to solve core production challenges.

Such solutions are vital for sign-makers who are juggling short runs, varied substrates, and tight delivery schedules. With developments in artificial intelligence, sensor technology and machine learning, Kongsberg is delivering systems that can adjust dynamically to each job: reducing errors, increasing uptime and supporting more versatile materials, while remaining sustainable.

An example of this comes from FASTSIGNS DTC in Colorado, who upgraded to a Kongsberg X24 after struggling with outdated equipment that was slow, complex, and prone to costly mistakes. The difference was immediate. Their team praised the new solution, which was easier to operate, and highlighted the versatility of the machine’s tooling, which enabled them to produce custom packaging and sample kits in hours rather than days. As a result, FASTSIGNS streamlined its workflow, reduced operator training time, and positioned itself for sustained growth with plans to increase output further as demand rises. This example points directly to the role Kongsberg PCS will play in supporting sign-makers in the future.

What does the next decade hold for Kongsberg PCS?

Kongsberg’s 60-year journey stands as both proof of resilience and evidence of the value we add to our customers’ businesses now and in the future. Looking ahead, Kongsberg PCS is focused on helping sign-makers build future-ready businesses through deeper collaboration and continuous innovation.

As the sign industry continues to transform, our job is to stay one step ahead and help our customers remain agile, competitive and confident with technology, support and innovation they can rely on. And we remain committed to supporting our customers and partners, every step of the way, not just as a supplier but as a strategic partner.