Manroland endures as high-performance partner in the new era of printed media

Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com

Focused on reinforcing the competitiveness of printed media, Augsburg-based manroland web systems has continued to provide groundbreaking and integrated solutions for commercial web offset, newspaper and digital printing. The German manufacturer’s commitment to delivering real added value has also led to its offering of ancillary printing equipment and software products, notably its PECOM-X automation and workflow management system. Since producing its first flatbed press in 1845, manroland has installed more than 1,800 printing systems globally in addition to retrofitting third-party machines.

“We see ourselves as a high-performance business partner not only for users of traditional web offset systems, but also for those taking the digital route,” says Dr Daniel Raffler, executive vice-president. “We strive to become the preferred service provider of printing houses irrespective of whether they use our machines or are third-party-equipped. We deliver lifetime support – a guarantee of continuity and quality.”

While seeing an overall decline in the mature markets, manroland sees expansion opportunities in Asia, which has emerged as the biggest print region. Highlighting its commitment to Asia, manroland opened its own market organisation in China in April last year to have a direct contact with its growing client base that includes Hong Kong’s English-language newspaper South China Morning Post. “With solutions that are more market responsive, we have a bright future in China and the rest of Asia,” says Alexander Wassermann, CEO and managing director.

A member of Lübeck-based Possehl Group, manroland is actively expanding in digital printing and finishing systems, which allow small runs, short lead times and customised applications. It has its sights on flexible packaging, which can be a better alternative to the more expensive flexographic printing.

“The printed media sector needs new business models to be able to grow again,” Wassermann says. “It should not be one-size-fits-all. Every publication has to be tailor-made to each reader’s specific interests, and we could play a role in this transition.”

manroland web systems
www.manroland-web.com