Koenig & Bauer and Durst Group have committed to further developing their R&D capabilities in the joint venture they established almost five years ago to capitalize on significant opportunities in the folding carton and corrugated board segments . The parent companies of Koenig & Bauer Durst GmbH will expand their operations in Radebeul, Germany.
Koenig & Bauer Durst is a global market leader in single-pass digital sheetfed printing systems and software services for the folding and corrugated board industries. The joint venture leverages the resources and expertise of its parent companies to offer an unparalleled portfolio of digital printing machinery, including the CorruJET and Delta SPC 130 systems for the corrugated board market, as well as the jointly developed VariJET 106 press for the folding carton market. All presses use food-grade, water-based inks and coatings that meet all regulatory requirements.
Robert Stabler , who has managed the joint venture since its inception, will step down as CEO. He will be succeeded by Daniel Velema, who will join Koenig & Bauer Durst in February 2024. Daniel has extensive experience in the printing and consulting sectors and has held several senior management positions. In his most recent role, Daniel was Managing Director of Prepress at XSYS Global, a leading supplier of printing plates, shrink sleeves, and prepress equipment for the packaging industry.
Daniel Velema , the incoming CEO of Koenig & Bauer Durst , commented: “I am very much looking forward to joining Koenig & Bauer Durst, comprised of two technology-pioneering companies in the printing and packaging markets with a growing presence in the industry. Corrugated and folding carton printers and converters continue to digitize their production environment to increase efficiency and flexibility and better serve brands and retailers. In the long term, this translates into significant cost reductions. Koenig & Bauer Durst’s offering of machinery, software, and services is well-positioned to support and accelerate our customers’ journey, and I look forward to working alongside our customers, partners, and suppliers.”
Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of Durst Group, says: “We are delighted to welcome Daniel to Koenig & Bauer Durst, as he will enable us to propel the company into the next stages of development. We believe we have a tremendous opportunity for significant growth in the coming years. A solid foundation has been laid with the successful launch of the VariJET 106 press, the most productive digital folding carton press on the market, as well as with the adoption of our corrugated board presses by some of the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking corrugated board companies. Robert has played a pivotal role in developing and leading the joint venture team , which has developed high-end systems for fully automated, industrial-scale production. We would like to thank Robert for transforming the joint venture from a mere idea into a dynamic and robust company.”
Ralf Sammeck, member of the Board of Management of Koenig & Bauer and Managing Director of the Cut Sheet division, says: “The spirit that both companies embody in the joint venture continues to grow. Combining our strengths is driving digitalization in the packaging industry. Building on the initial foundations, we are expanding our capabilities at our R&D center in Radebeul, home to Koenig & Bauer’s Cut Sheet division. To take the joint venture to the next level, we have appointed Daniel Velema as the new Managing Director, effective next February.”
Robert, for his part, says: “Having led the joint venture for almost five years, I am proud to have led a team of dedicated professionals and to have established a strong company presence in the industry. The fact that our two parent companies, Koenig & Bauer and Durst, two giants in packaging and printing, have committed to increasing their R&D capabilities speaks volumes about the positive impact we have had on the significant growth of our presence in the corrugated and folding carton markets. These markets are already ripe for digital transformation, and we have a growing customer base to prove it.”
