Muller Martini Takes Over Perfect Binding, Bookline Business from Kolbus

ZOFINGEN, Switzerland - January 29, 2018 - Muller Martini has announced that it has taken over the perfect binding and bookline business from Kolbus. This includes the service and spare parts business for all of Kolbus' bookbinding systems installed worldwide. Kolbus will set its focus on the packaging and casemaking business, parts manufacturing and the foundry business.

“Structural change has changed the graphic arts industry in recent years and our market has become much smaller and versatile at once,” says Bruno Müller, CEO of Muller Martini. “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.”

The changes in the market are directly affecting Muller Martini's customers, which are faced with new business models like digitization. By combining the potentials for success like personnel, know-how, technology and infrastructure of the two companies, Muller Martini can provide the market with innovative solutions in the long term.

“This secures the future of the softcover and hardcover business of both the customers and the two machine manufacturers -  and thus also jobs in the graphic arts industry," Bruno Müller explains.

Continued Production in Rahden

The bookbinding business of Kolbus is transferred to the new business unit Müller Martini Buchbinde-Systeme GmbH, which will be integrated into the Muller Martini group with all dedicated employees as an independent factory with domicile in Rahden. Kolbus will remain under the direction of CEO Kai Büntemeyer.

With 900 employees, Kolbus will set its focus on the packaging and casemaking business, parts manufacturing and the foundry business. Kai Büntemeyer is convinced that with this step, Kolbus will create good opportunities for a successful future.

“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 GmbH and Kolbus Luxury Packaging.”

Machine Portfolio and Know-how Remains

The know-how of the Kolbus machine portfolio is taken over, backed up and further developed by Muller Martini. The approximately 250 Kolbus employees from the bookbinding department will be taken over by Muller Martini in Rahden at the same employment conditions. The staff in the packaging and casemaker segments will continue to work for Kolbus.

Source: Müller Martini.

The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Printing Impressions. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of Printing Impressions.