Robert Stabler is the new managing director of the Koenig & Bauer Durst joint venture which has business operations underway to produce a single-pass digital printing system for the folded carton and corrugated fibreboard industry.
Stabler, who grew up in the UK, brings extensive global experience to the role having previously served as the senior vice president with Xerox’s continuous feed business in the United States as well as other executive roles at HP and Agfa.
Koenig & Bauer Durst was officially established in May this year following clearance from antitrust regulators and has its registered office in Wurzburg, Bavaria in Germany.
Initially, the joint venture portfolio will comprise the Koenig & Bauer CorruJET 170 and the Durst SPC 130 – including all associated services and the ink business as well as the development of the VariJET 106.
“I am really excited to take on this new challenge in the folding carton and corrugated packaging markets,” Stabler said.
“Both are ripe for digital transformation with run lengths declining in both segments and brands crying out for very good, cost effective, short-run and versioning solutions.
“We will add all the competencies of Durst and Koenig & Bauer to leverage the best solutions. Durst with its expertise in digital imaging, production systems, inks and software integration, Koenig & Bauer with all its mechanical knowledge, high duty cycle process, engineering, paper transport capabilities plus, of course, the great go-to-market expertise of both teams.”
Christoph Gamper, CEO of the Durst Group, said: “We welcome Robert Stabler who has an impressive track record, is an inspirational leader and is accomplished in proactively managing change management as well as substantial experience in developing new markets. The team we’ll create for the joint venture will supply the necessary solutions in markets where digital production lines offer huge opportunities for the folding carton and corrugated fiberboard industries.”
Claus Bolza-Schünemann, CEO of Koenig & Bauer AG, commented: “This is the start of something very special in the printing and packaging industry. We are incredibly excited by the opportunities ahead of us and we are confident being able to form a superb team led by Robert Stabler. Our distinct technologies and market expertise will be combined to offer state of the art products, optimized solutions for our customers including a flawless service and support.”
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