ITALY – Switzerland-based packaging machinery and services supplier Bobst has acquired 70% stakes in Italian company Dücker Robotics to help fulfill its vision for the future of packaging production.
Dücker Robotics is a world leader in using robots in both loading and palletizing in the corrugated board sector, while offering opportunities in the folding carton industry. The current management team of Dücker Robotics will remain in place.
The strategic agreement, which was closed on April 28th, 2023, is part of BOBST’s industry vision for the future of the packaging world, where the entire packaging production line will be connected and much more automated.
Jean-Pascal Bobst, CEO of Bobst Group said: “In an era where converters are facing higher demands than ever due to the booming global demand and specifically in the e-commerce market, while simultaneously facing challenges in shortages of manpower, automation has never been more important for our clients.
“Dücker Robotics s.r.l. has 20 years of proven leadership in the development of robotic systems for the most sophisticated converting machines, and we are very excited to see what we can achieve together.”
Bobst said that this deal will not impact the operations of Dücker Robotics’ existing management team, which will continue to remain in place.
The synergies between both companies will enable the development of novel solutions and approaches that meet BOBST’s clients’ current and future needs.
With this acquisition, BOBST is confident of further accelerating its leadership in printing and converting.
Leveraging its experience in the use of anthropomorphic robots, Dücker Robotics mainly specializes in providing robotic systems for the corrugated board sector.
Bobst’s stake in CITO Group
Meanwhile, the company has also increased its stake in CITO Group, one of the world’s market leaders in the field of creasing technology, to 90%.
This follows the retirement of CITO Managing Director Jürgen Mariën, who has sold his remaining shares to BOBST. BOBST first acquired a majority shareholding of 51% in CITO GROUP in 2020.
CITO is well known for providing an extensive range of components for the converting and die-making industries with expertise in paper, cardboard, and corrugated board.
CITO’s unique offering of consumables and services are now fully part of the BOBST portfolio.
CITO will continue to run independently, led by members of its existing leadership team. Long-term Director of Sales and R&D Oliver Kellermann has been appointed co-Managing Director alongside existing co-Managing Director Thomas Gerner.
They will continue to manage and oversee the day-to-day running of the company alongside René Seick, Director of Technology.
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