Muller Martini has announced its takeover of the Kolbus binder and bookline business, including service and spare parts for all Kolbus bookbinding systems installed worldwide. Kolbus focuses on the packaging and book cover vending machine business, parts manufacturing and the foundry business.
The Kolbus bookbinding business will be transferred to the new company Muller Martini Buchbinde-Systeme GmbH, which will be integrated into the Muller Martini Group as an independent plant based in Rahden along with all the associated employees. Kolbus remains under the leadership of CEO Kai Büntemeyer and, with 900 employees worldwide, focuses on the production of packaging and book cover machines, part production and the foundry business. Kai Büntemeyer is convinced that with this step Kolbus will be able to create good opportunities for a successful future.
The know-how for the Kolbus machine range is taken over, backed up and further developed by Muller Martini. The approximately 250 Kolbus employees from the bookbinding area will be taken on in Rahden by Muller Martini on unchanged terms of employment. Employees in the Packaging and Book Cover Machines divisions continue to work at Kolbus.
‘Structural change has changed the graphics industry in recent years, and our market has become much smaller and more diverse,’ said Bruno Müller, CEO of Muller Martini. ‘Customers demand regular innovations, which must be financed with lower sales quantities. Above all, our customers benefit from the efficiency gains from the merger of bookbinding activities.
The market changes have a direct impact on customers facing new business models such as digitisation. By bringing together the potential for success of the two companies, such as personnel, know-how, technology and infrastructure, Muller Martini can provide the market with innovative solutions in the long term even better. ‘This will secure the future of our customers’ softcover and hardcover business – and thus jobs in the graphics industry,’ said Müller.
