Koenig & Bauer, a leader in printing press manufacturing, and Durst, a manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies, signed a 50/50 joint venture agreement in 2019. The signing of the agreement paved the way for the joint development and marketing of single-pass digital printing systems for the folding carton and corrugated fiberboard industry, with the resulting company being Koenig & Bauer Durst GmbH. The joint venture has its registered office in Würzburg and cooperates closely with both parent companies’ global network.

Historically there has been much “quiet” intercompany collaboration in the manufacturing of press and finishing equipment. There have been a few companies like Koenig & Bauer, Komori, Miyakoshi, Fujifilm, and others who have supplied transports or even complete machines to other equipment manufacturers to sell under their own brand. There have also been companies like Durst, Kodak, and others who supply imaging engines to transport manufacturers. However, lately we have seen more outward collaboration between equipment manufacturers. Sometimes it is through acquisition or merger, like the recent acquisition of Hunkeler by Muller Martini, or it is more complex, like Agfa’s acquisition of INCA, which already had a joint development relationship with BHS and SCREEN. Sometimes it is just a collaboration like those between HP and Koenig & Bauer on the HP T1100 and T700i presses or between Durst and OMET on a hybrid flexo label press, amongst others. Often, the collaboration ensures that they leverage each other’s strengths, while each of the companies retains their visibility and yet allows for a quicker development and go to market outcomes.

The Koenig & Bauer Durst JV is very interesting and almost unique in that both companies have a history of working with other companies, sharing their individual strengths. Each of the two are very innovative in their individual areas of skill and application and also aware of their limitations. As a result, their experience, drive, and current portfolio puts them in a very good position for growth and success.