Overland Park, Kansas - W+D North America (W+D) and Kocher+Beck USA (K+B) today announced they have reached a long-term distribution, manufacturing and technology agreement.
 
Under the terms of the agreement, which is expected to be fully implemented by May 01, 2011, W+D will become the exclusive distributor of K+B flexible dies and magnetic cylinders for the U.S.A. and Canada, assuming all sales and technical support responsibility for existing K+B and W+D customers and K+B will manufacture flexible dies exclusively for W+D in the North American envelope segment.
 
“W+D and K+B share the commitment to the highest quality and performance of our products, and we are very impressed with the flex die manufacturing footprint and capability K+B has in North America,” notes W+D North America vice president, customer operations Randall Gossage. “In partnering with K+B, they bring tremendous technology and flex die manufacturing horse power, which will now enable W+D to accelerate plans to expand our hard tooling and gummer manufacturing platforms and to offer envelope manufacturers one-stop shopping with unmatched value.”
 
K+B executive vice president Frank Hasselberg added, “Both W+D and K+B have great respect for each other. We were looking for a partner that would help us to add value to our existing customers and continue to grow our flex die business in the envelope segment. The strength of the W+D brand, their technology, and know-how, as well as their focused commitment to envelope manufacturers will make them an excellent distribution and technology partner, and we are confident our combined customers will be even better served.”