Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg)(FWB:HDD) is taking over the
high-performance coating manufacturer Hi-Tech Coatings based in the U.K.
and the Netherlands. This move will enable Heidelberg to add the
manufacture and sale of high-performance coatings for the production of
printed materials and packaging to its solutions portfolio for
consumables. Based in Aylesbury in the U.K. and Zwaag in the
Netherlands, Hi-Tech Coatings develops and produces over 1,000
environmentally-friendly products and formulations for the print media
industry, primarily water- and UV-based coatings.
"By acquiring Hi-Tech Coatings, Heidelberg is
pursuing its consistent strategy of expanding the range of services
available to our customers," stated Heidelberg
CEO Bernhard Schreier. "Using high-performance
consumables on our machines makes customers more efficient and enables
us to achieve margins that are not tied to economic cycles," he added. Heidelberg has been successfully selling the print coatings of
the newly-acquired company for a number of years in the U.K., China, and
parts of Eastern Europe. The global Heidelberg sales network will in
future provide Hi-Tech Coatings with an international platform for
expanding its operations.
Hi-Tech Coatings was founded in 1993 and was owned by the management
team. The company sells its products worldwide via dealers and
licensees, focusing today most strongly on Britain and Eastern Europe.
In 2007, Hi-Tech Coatings achieved sales of around EUR 25 million.
"We have long been aware of how important the
link to presses and the printing process is. This makes it a logical
step to merge Hi-Tech Coatings and Heidelberg," stressed Hi-Tech Coatings Managing Director Paul Bass. "Coatings
play a key role in the graphic arts industry. The enhanced durability of
coated products and ongoing improvements in terms of esthetics make a
major contribution to increasing printshop productivity," he continued.
The acquisition is still subject to the scrutiny of the German
anti-trust authority, but the deal will go through as soon as the
necessary approval has been obtained. Both parties have agreed not to
disclose the conditions of the acquisition.
Heidelberg consumables go under the name "Saphira"
The name "Saphira" represents a broad portfolio of high-quality consumables suitable for
standard print jobs, special applications, and all production
requirements in prepress, press, and postpress. All consumables bearing
the name Saphira have been specifically optimized and tested for use in
Heidelberg solutions. They help the user benefit from the full range of
functions supported by the equipment and ensure first-class print
results. Saphira products also meet all industry standards on
environmental protection and make a real contribution to safeguarding
the customer´s investment in his equipment.
In addition to Saphira products, Heidelberg also offers consumables from
other suppliers under their own brand names.
Heidelberg actively expands sale of consumables
At the end of 2007, Heidelberg took over the sales activities of
consumables supplier Stielund & Taekker in Denmark and Sweden, together
with around 35 employees.
Heidelberg is looking to become the number one company in the sale of
consumables in the print media industry in the Nordic and Baltic
countries.
