GERMANY – Koenig & Bauer, the press manufacturer with the broadest product portfolio in the industry has acquired 49 percent stake in manufacturer of high-board line flexo presses company, Celmacch Group S.r.l.

The deal lays the foundations for collaboration on development and marketing activities on the growth market for corrugated boards. Koenig & Bauer has the option to acquire further shares in Celmacch Group S.r.l.

Corrugated board offers unrivaled versatility for a wide range of packaged goods, and accounts for the largest share of the overall market in terms of value.

Alongside classic corrugated boxes, various forms of secondary and tertiary packaging are important fields for the packaging industry. And their significance continues to grow thanks to e-commerce.

Celmacch Group S.r.l. counts around 50 employees and has gathered over 40 years of experience in the growth market for corrugated boards, a segment that Koenig & Bauer also addresses with its complementary CorruCUT and CorruFLEX presses.

In addition, Celmacch is a financially healthy company and has built up an excellent market standing, especially since the relaunch of its Chroma product family in 2019.

These presses are already supplied to numerous major international packaging producers, primarily on the local markets.

Following the agreement, Celmacch Group S.r.l. will operate as Koenig & Bauer Celmacch S.r.l. in future; its offices remain in Desenzano, Italy.

“Celmacch has been looking for a partner for long-term cooperation and has found one in Koenig & Bauer,” said Luca Celotti, General Manager of Celmacch.

“Our existing product portfolio ideally positions it for further growth. Koenig & Bauer provides us with access to a worldwide sales and service network with more than 2,000 staff.”

Celotti pointed out that the combination will enable Celmacch to establish a more international and scalable market presence.

For the first phase of the partnership, the focus will be placed on joint sales and service activities, further product development and expansion of the company’s assembly capacities.

Under the name ‘Chroma’, a new product family will cover all price and performance classes in the relevant market segment.

Acquisition of the shares in Celmacch Group S.r.l. remains subject to official approval from the Italian authorities that oversee foreign direct investment.

The parties have agreed not to disclose further details of the transaction. The final closing is anticipated for September 2022.

Liked this article? Subscribe to our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s packaging and printing industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE.