Muller Martini buys Kolbus bookbinding

Swiss manufacturing giant Muller Martini has acquired the binding and bookline business of Germany-based Kolbus.

In a deal announced on 26 January, Müller Martini is taking over the perfect binding and book line business from Kolbus, which will now focus on packaging and case-making, parts manufacture and its foundry operations.

Reflecting on the decline in long-run book manufacturing, Muller Martini CEO Bruno Müller commented: "Structural change has changed the graphic arts industry in recent years and our market has become much smaller and versatile at once. Customers need innovations on a regular basis, which have to be financed with lower sales quantities. Above all, our customers benefit from the efficiency gains bringing together the bookbinding activities."

"Combining the personnel, expertise, technology and infrastructure of the two companies secures the future of the softcover and hardcover business of both the customers and the two machine manufacturers - and thus also jobs in the graphc arts industry," added Müller.

Kolbus' bookbinding business is to be transferred to a new business unit, Müller Martini Buchbinde-Systeme, in a separate factory in Rahden in Germany. This will take on the service and spares operation for all Kolbus bookbinding systems installed worldwide. Some 250 Kolbus employees will transfer with the business, while the remainder will focus on packaging and case-making opportunities.

Kolbus CEO Kai Büntermayer commented: "In recent years, the packaging market was growing consistently. We see a good potential and will vigorously expand our current activities in this business. There are also very good perspectives in the segment of component manufacturing for sophisticated mechanical engineering companies including Müller Martini Buchbinde-Systeme and Kolbus Luxury Packaging."

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