Dresden, 30 May 2008 – KAMA GmbH winds up it’s 2007-08 financial year with sales of 12.1 million euros.  Following it’s record-breaking year of 2006-07, turnover for the machine manufacturer has dropped by 6%.  Turnover-yield is in single figures. “We are very pleased with this positive result, gained in a traditionally slower pre-drupa year”, says KAMA Managing Director Marcus Tralau.  ”With hesitant investors waiting for the latest innovations to be announced at drupa 2008 and the effects of a weak dollar on the financial markets, the graphics industry is at the end of a difficult year.”

With KAMA’s core business at 8.4 million euros, the construction of automatic die cutters and finishing machines is the company’s strength, turnover in sales and service gaining 7.5%.  In reverse the manufacture of assemblies and rolls for the graphics industry has seen a drop in orders – down 22% seeing turnover of 3.7 million euros.

Investment in new developments
Figuring in the balance sheet, in addition to the preparation and exhibition costs for drupa is a large part of the development costs of two totally new machines, on the basis of which the company is setting its sights on strong growth. This innovative company from Dresden will present a ‘World 1st’ at the major trade fair in Düsseldorf, which runs from 29 May to 11 June.

The KAMA ProCut 53 is the first automatic flat-bed die cutter in A3 size. The versatile stand-alone solution is also intended to instil enthusiasm in those from the digital print industry for value-adding print processing and finishing. The second new development is the ProFold 74 folder-gluer, which dovetails neatly into the automatic die cutter and stands out for its wide range of applications and short set-up times. KAMA has applied for a patent for it’s unique grid-type mounting system.

Versatile growth
Addressing the future of finishing with these new machines, KAMA, (known as Scamag in the mid 1930s) has a long history of engineering skill, expertise and invention.  The company was the inventor of the world's first automatic die cutter. Today KAMA is a leading supplier of finishing systems to the graphics industry.   To underpin the recent development surge, KAMA has increased its personnel to 130 employees in the last year, not including apprentices. The company’s research and development department now employs 10 permanent staff.

KAMA is forecasting double figure growth in sales for the next financial year.  “We have doubled our portfolio of machines,” explains joint managing director Steffen Pieper. “With our new folder-gluer, we have a new line in a popular market.  KAMA management also sees great potential in the recent collaboration with Stora Enso Digital Solutions, Belgium.  Introducing Gallop, a new type of production line, a subsidiary of Stora Enso, Finland is marketing an integrated solution for customised packaging for short run work.  This production lines comprises a Xerox digital printing press, an Epic coating unit, a customised StoraEnso conveying and stacking unit and KAMA’s DC 58 inline die cutter.