Heidelberg Expands Pressroom Chemicals Portfolio by Acquiring Belgium-Based BluePrint Products NV

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY—December 4, 2014—“With the acquisition of BluePrint, we are further expanding our portfolio in the growth area of consumables,” said Harald Weimer, member of the management board responsible for sales and Heidelberg services. By acquiring this Belgian supplier of printing chemicals, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is gaining vital know-how for developing and producing consumables in a key market segment. BluePrint offers a comprehensive range of dampening and washup solutions for sheetfed offset presses and has a particularly innovative approach to environmentally friendly products.

“BluePrint and Heidelberg have already worked together closely in the past,” noted Peter Tix, head of consumables at Heidelberg. “Under the umbrella of the Saphira portfolio, we’ll be continuing to develop the BluePrint range of consumables for print production while maintaining the highest standards in terms of the environment and reliability. The products will gradually be made available on the key markets for Heidelberg.” Sales of BluePrint products outside of Heidelberg’s customer base will be continued and are also to be expanded.

Purchasing BluePrint is a further logical step in expanding the Heidelberg consumables portfolio following the acquisition of U.K. coating manufacturer Hi-Tech Coatings in 2008. Heidelberg intends to systematically increase sales of consumables in the future. “We’re looking to become the world’s leading supplier of consumables in our industry in the medium term,” explained Weimer.

With BluePrint, Heidelberg can offer its customers the expertise of an established supplier of printing chemicals. This gives Heidelberg the means to tailor products to customer needs and develop them further in-house without the delays that result from consulting external suppliers. Customer-specific solutions are also possible.

BluePrint Products serves customers in 60 countries. The company, based in Sint-Niklaas near Antwerp, Belgium, has well-developed expertise in research and development, particularly with regard to environmental aspects. BluePrint will continue to operate on the market under its own name led by the founder Kris Temmerman.

Source: Heidelberg.