Müller Martini will stop making printers in the first half of 2015, shifting its focus entirely to finishing machines, as losses can no longer be countenanced. The company says a prolonged slump in the turnover of its printing presses has triggered the decision, and losses in sales could only be partly absorbed in recent years despite ‘extensive periods’ of short-time work at its German factory. The move comes as the heavy metal offset world continues to shift, with Martini taking over Heidelberg’s service and spare parts business for its saddle stitchers, perfect binders and thread-sealing machines.

Bruno Müller, CEO of Müller Martini

In recent years Müller Martini had looked at making size-variable web offset printers for labels and flexible packaging to feed this growing market, but Bruno Müller, CEO of the company, says the take-up has not been enough. He says, “Despite extensive investments and years of effort, the broad take-up of offset technology on the packaging market has only succeeded to a limited extent.” The search for suitable partners in the packaging market has also proven unsuccessful to date, and the company says new ventures into established business segments such as security and commercial printing could by no means make up for the loss in volume in recent years. In a statement, the company says it believes ‘that the chances of a successful turnaround from its own efforts alone are extremely slim.’ The company says it will continue to provide service support for its presses, which includes the Alprinta, Concepta and VSOP web offset presses, Q74 sheeter and QS52 sheeter and stacker. The German factory in Maulburg will be transformed from a production site into a services company to secure that support, with up to 80 jobs to be affected. It says socially responsible solutions will be sought for the employees involved.

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