Goss and manroland propose merger

Goss International and manroland web systems are proposing a merger, combining their complementary printing press businesses.

The current shareholders of Goss, American Industrial Partners, and of manroland, Possehl Group (Lübeck), would co-own the combined company.

Dennis Wickham, managing director, manroland Australia, says, “At this stage it is going through due diligence, and the merger needs to be approved by governing bodies of different countries. If approved, it should go through mid-2018.

“For us in Australia, it is business as usual.

“There will be more announcements as time goes on, but all those items are still being worked out in fine detail. At this stage it is a joint partnership, with the percentages still being determined.

“I think it is positive for the industry, both companies have a lot of strengths, and coming together will hope bring those strengths forward, for everyone to benefit.”

Goss says, “Both are manufacturers and service providers of web offset printing systems for newspapers, commercial products and packaging. The combined company will benefit from the companies’ complementary geographic footprints, create extensive synergies, ensure long-term viability, and provide value-oriented solutions, especially in the area of aftermarket services. In the future, the new entity will be a strong business partner to all international web printers.”

Alexander Wasserman, CEO, manroland, says, "manroland is on the path for continued success. We want to continue to develop this path by creating synergies, fostering the further development of our R&D activities and strengthening our innovation focus. Our customers will be able to choose from a wider portfolio of products and services."

Mohit Uberoi, CEO, Goss, says, "This combination will enable us to achieve extensive synergies that will help us optimally serve our customers into the future. The combination will strive to provide a best-in-class product offering and customer service."  

Goss says, “The new company will rely on the combined expertise of its employees and will further continue its activities in the fields of innovative web printing systems, services, consumables and system components for the newspaper, commercial, packaging and digital printing markets. In addition to the new machinery and service business, the expansion of the business with retrofits and upgrades, and the systematic expansion of e-commerce activities will be major areas of focus.”

Both Goss and manroland have recently unveiled new press-service packages, while manroland has installed two major presses for Blue Star in 2017, a Rotoman and Lithoman, with a second Lithoman installed for Franklin Web.

Goss acquired two aftermarket part specialists, Loudon Machine, and ex-Goss employee founded Graphic Automation Controls in 2017.

The Contiweb business of Goss International is not included in the transaction.

Contiweb, a specialist in advanced drying and web-handling products for printing, will separate and operate as an independent company.

After transaction close, Contiweb will become a separate company under the ownership of American Industrial Partners with operations headquartered in Boxmeer, Netherlands.

Bert Schoonderbeek, managing director, Contiweb, says this development is a natural step, following the Contiweb repositioning in 2016.

“We will continue to build upon our successful relationship with both Goss and manroland and are looking forward to continuing the cooperation as a strong partner of the combined company as we pursue other diversification opportunities. Contiweb’s separation marks a new era for further growth of the company.“

Until transaction close, sales and service channels will remain unchanged.

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