Augusto Monteiro - a tribute to a passionate print enthusiast -- drupa - 2028 - Messe Düsseldorf
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Augusto Monteiro - a tribute to a passionate print enthusiast

















At drupa 2024 we welcomed a very special guest of honour: Augusto Monteiro, founder and owner of Portuguese company Grafopel. Since the second drupa in 1954, Monteiro has never missed an event, and this year he was there with his wife Arminda. Reason enough for us to take a closer look at one of our most loyal visitors.

A life dedicated to the printing industry

Augusto Monteiro is a living legend in the printing industry. The 96-year-old drupa veteran's career began in the 1950s and really took off when he founded the family business Grafopel in 1964. With tireless dedication and a clear vision, Monteiro made Grafopel an indispensable partner to the printing industry, first in Portugal and later in Angola, Cape Verde and parts of Africa. His company made a name for itself as a partner of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG and POLAR Cutting Technologies GmbH.

drupa - a source of inspiration and innovation

Monteiro's long-standing loyalty to Drupa has shaped his company as well as his personal and professional development. Each time he attended the show, he gained new experiences, valuable insights and the opportunity to make new acquaintances.

His first trip to drupa in 1954 was an adventure. Together with a few colleagues, he set off in a VW bus on the long journey to Düsseldorf, with stops in Paris and Heidelberg – where, to his surprise, he was given a tour of the factory by Hubert Steinberg, then CEO of Heidelberg. As he wrote in his memoirs, it was a dream come true: "Already at Drupa I felt a great joy to be there living a dream that became true and discovering something that clearly was a unique experience – the unquenchable curiosity of a busyboy who searches and scans the latest changes in the printing industry of that time.”

That was only the beginning. Other drupa visits would prove to be defining moments in his life. Take drupa 1962, for example: an offer to join the team of a newly established company in Spain brought Monteiro to a crossroads. Although he turned down the tempting offer, the experience motivated him to set up his own business and go his own way. Another milestone was drupa 1982: the first meeting with Dr. Rolf Danzer, then CEO of Heidelberg, developed into an important partnership that had a significant impact on Grafopel's growth.

A family company with heart and soul

Now run by his sons, Grafopel still breathes the spirit of its founder, combining enthusiasm for the latest printing technologies with the customer focus, flexibility and unwavering commitment that have always characterised Monteiro and his companies. The company represents some of the best brands in the printing industry worldwide and can count on a proud team of employees and a strong network of suppliers and partners.

Tireless Drupa supporter

Augusto Monteiro is an inspiring example of tireless commitment to the printing industry. His visits to drupa are characterised by exciting discussions and lively exchanges. drupa and the manufacturers represented by his company owe him many inspiring conversations and impulses. His passion and commitment have shaped the printing industry for decades. His story is a prime example of how important drupa has been over the decades as a place for meeting, exchange and innovation – and what it can achieve now and in the future.

For anyone who would like to find out more about the inspiring stories and personalities at drupa, we offer a wealth of additional content. There you will find exciting video interviews directly from the trade fair, in which industry leaders describe their impressions and visions. In addition, the thought leadership articles give you a deeper insight into current trends and developments in the printing industry. Let yourself be inspired!

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