KBA on an acquisition spree with developing markets on its mind

Following their entry into the digital print market at Drupa 2012 with its own product, the Koenig & Bauer Group (KBA) has strengthened its footing in the broad, growing market for packaging with the acquisition of two companies in recent months.

05 Dec 2013 | By Mihir Joshi

KBA took over Kammann Maschinenbau in Bad Oeynhausen, Germany in September with a eye on the expanding niche market for directly decorating luxury glass packaging and other hollow containers. They have also recently concluded a majority takeover of Italian press manufacturer Flexotecnica and thus opening up the flexible packaging sector.

It is widely considered that by expanding its product line-up for previously unaddressed growth markets KBA is countering the shrinking business volume in media-orientated print segments, such as magazines, catalogues and newspapers.

These latest acquisitions are thought have been brought about due to the economic and consumption growth in the developing world. China, India, Brazil and Turkey have spearheaded this growth and the markers point towards further consolidation in these markets.

The two newly acquired subsidies of KBA are expected to be renamed KBA-Kammann and KBA-Flexotecnica. Both companies have a total of some 280 employees in development and engineering, assembly, sales and service, while most of the manufacturing activities have been outsourced. Together the firms generate annual sales in the mid-double-digit million euros. 

KBA is represented by Indo Polygraph in India.