Heidelberg and Gallus Strengthen Long-Term Cooperation
11/05/2002
The Management Board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
(Heidelberg) and the owner, Ferdinand Rüesch, of Gallus
Holding AG (Gallus), world market leader in the production of label
printing presses, have agreed to further intensify their successful
business partnership.
Heidelberg has been holding a 30 percent participation in
Gallus since 1999. Through the agreed corporate leadership, Gallus
will be fully consolidated in the current financial year 2002/2003.
"With six to eight percent growth, flexo printing
represents a rapidly growing segment of the print media
industry," Bernhard Schreier, Heidelberg's CEO, stated.
"By further intensifying our cooperation with Gallus, we will
be able to benefit even more from the growing demand for labels and
packaging." The world market for flexo printing presses is
generally estimated at approximately 800 million Euro, with Europe
accounting for about 250 million Euro. The market leading Gallus
printing presses are used primarily for printing labels.
Heidelberg will continue to operate Gallus as an affiliated company. Management and brand policy will remain unchanged.
"With sales totaling approximately 120 million Euro, the Heidelberg Group is consolidating a sound company with favourable future prospects," said Heidelberg's CFO, Dr. Herbert Meyer.
About Gallus:
In 2001, with approximately 500 staff members,
Gallus realized sales of 120 million Euro. The company develops and
produces narrow web printing presses, mainly used for printing
labels by way of flexo printing, letterpress printing, screen
printing and offset printing. Gallus is reacting to the
increasingly high quality standards of its customers by combining
these printing technologies in its printing presses and by offering
other options, such as processing and hot foiling. The modular
structure of the Gallus printing presses makes usage possible in
other segments of packaging printing (e.g. fold-ing carton
printing), as well. With a 30 percent market share, the company is
the world market leader in label printing.
For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Investor Relations
Dirk Kaliebe
Tel: +49 (0)6221 92 60 20
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 60 61
E-mail:
Company Profile
Over the course of its more than 150-year history, Heidelberg has grown from a traditional printing press manufacturer to become the world's largest solutions provider for the print media industry. With its seamlessly integrated hardware and software solutions, it has established a commanding lead over other market players. Heidelberg is a one-stop supplier of everything from prepress solutions to a wide range of products for printing and finishing processes, relevant training and accompanying services. More
