The October 1 announcement by German press manufacturer Heldelberg said that the agreement to acquire MBO was “in the lower double-digit million euro range” and that the sale is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, subject to the agreement of antitrust authorities. MBO develops high-end finishing equipment for digital and offset printing – including special application for the mailing and pharmaceutical industries. Heidelberg added that the deal highlights its strategic focus on consistently aligning its portfolio and new business model with the growing industry segments of digital and packaging print. The move will also allow Heidelberg to gain access to new customers in the pharmaceutical industry, add mailing system lines to its current offset portfolio, and expose new customer groups to its 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 Heidelberg CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer. “By acquiring MBO’s digital portfolio, we’re 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.” MBO Group CEO Thomas Heininger added: “This transaction is a major strategic move for MBO Group to continue driving the process of digitalization and to further develop our digital print-finishing product range.” Heidelberg will take over MBO’s sites in Oppenweiler and Bielefeld, Germany, and its production site in Perifita, Portugal. The MBO brand will be kept, as will Heidelberg’s Stahlfolder product lines.
Heidelberg to acquire finishing specialist MBO
