Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG

Postfach 10 29 40
69019 Heidelberg
Germany

Kurfürsten-Anlage 52–60
69115 Heidelberg

Thomas Fichtl

Phone +49 6222 82-67123
Fax +49 6222 82-67129

Thomas.Fichtl@heidelberg.com
www.heidelberg.com

October 2, 2018

Heidelberg investing in digital postpress operations 
with takeover of MBO Group		
•	Plans for more digital postpress offerings to reach 
new target groups
•	Innovative solutions for pharmaceutical growth market and
customer-specific mailing systems
•	Takeover opens up activities for a joint future and creates 
important synergies 
•	Production plant in Portugal suitable expansion site for company

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is taking over the international MBO Group in a bid to further expand its offerings in the growing market of postpress operations for digitally printed products. The move will also see the company gain access to new customers in the pharmaceutical industry and add mailing system offerings to its offset portfolio. 

This decision highlights the company’s strategic focus on consistently aligning its portfolio and new business model with the growth segments of digital and packaging. Furthermore, Heidelberg aims to use this extended offering to tap into new customer groups for its entire product portfolio. 

“The planned takeover of the MBO Group enables us to attain further sustainable and profitable growth by leveraging new technologies and customer segments,” said Rainer Hundsdörfer, CEO of Heidelberg. “By acquiring MBO’s digital portfolio, we are closing a gap for our customers and helping them achieve a smooth industrial process in the digital future. We also expect to see synergies in our own value added chain, which will bring about tangible benefits for customers, too.”

The acquired operations account for a sales volume of around € 50 million and will see Heidelberg expand its postpress offerings. The acquisition involves, among other things, taking over the sites in Oppenweiler and Bielefeld, Germany, and the production site in Perifita, Portugal, which employ a total of approximately 450 staff. Besides the German sites, the efficiently structured site in Portugal opens up particularly interesting opportunities for the entire Heidelberg Group.

“Even when postpress operations are running efficiently, there is still huge potential for boosting productivity throughout the entire print shop,” claims Stephan Plenz, Member of the Management Board responsible for Digital Technology. “The takeover is another important step in offering our customers a comprehensive portfolio that generates value and covers everything from technology and consumables right through to service.”

Strong MBO brand to be retained  
The MBO brand is well-established on the market and its technology complements the Heidelberg product range well. Continuing to expand offerings together will optimize the portfolio and supply chain, while leveraging the MBO dealer and service network will also result in mutual benefits. Overall, the acquisition is set to create a better basis for unlocking shared potential for future-focused developments that are geared toward market demands.

The planned takeover of the MBO Group is another strategic step for Heidelberg as it seeks to secure its future by pursuing continuous innovation for the benefit of customers. The aim is to increase productivity and decrease costs by achieving maximum efficiency across all print shop processes. The Heidelberg Push to Stop concept and the company’s industrial digital print portfolio for the packaging market, which includes the Labelfire and Primefire product ranges, is driving forward digitalization. In this regard, integrated postpress solutions are playing an increasingly important role when it comes to optimizing the end-to-end process.

Subject to the agreement of the antitrust authorities, the takeover is due to be completed provisionally by the end of 2018.

Figure 1: Heidelberg takes over the MBO Group, headquarters in Oppenweiler.

Figure 2: The MBO product range of digital systems provides creative and flexible web finishing solutions.

Figure 3: Herzog + Heymann machines completely cover the demanding spectrum in the pharmaceutical sector.

Figure 4: In addition to the printing, packaging and label industries, MBO's customers include the pharmaceutical industry and large marketing companies.

For additional details about the company and image material, please visit the Press Lounge of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at www.heidelberg.com.

About the MBO Group: 
MBO has been a reliable partner to the bookbinding and postpress industries for more than 50 years. Its production sites are located in Oppenweiler and Bielefeld (Herzog + Heymann), Germany, as well as Perafita near Porto, Portugal. Besides having its own sales companies in the United States, France, and China, the MBO Group maintains a global network of professional sales and service partners to ensure customers receive the best possible support. In addition to the printing, packaging, and labeling sectors, its customers include the pharmaceutical industry and major marketing companies.
www.mbo-folder.com

Further information: 
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG

Corporate Public Relations 
Thomas Fichtl
Phone: +49 6222 82- 67123
Fax: +49 6222 82- 67129
E-mail: thomas.fichtl@heidelberg.com

Investor Relations 
Robin Karpp 
Phone: +49 6222 82-67120 
Fax: +49 6222 82-99 67120 
E-mail: robin.karpp@heidelberg.com 	

Important note:
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimations by the Management Board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even though the Management Board is of the opinion that those assumptions and estimations are realistic, the actual future development and results may deviate substantially from these forward-looking statements due to various factors, such as changes in the macro-economic situation, in the exchange rates, in the interest rates, and in the print media industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft gives no warranty and does not assume liability for any damages in case the future development and the projected results do not correspond with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.