Heidelberg expands its printing chemicals portfolio and acquires BluePrint Products NV

Thursday, December 04, 2014

Press release from the issuing company

Heidelberg has acquired Belgian printing chemicals supplier BluePrint, thus expanding its portfolio in the growth sector of consumables.

“With the acquisition of BluePrint, we are further expanding our portfolio in the growth area of consumables,” says Harald Weimer, member of the Management Board responsible for Sales and Heidelberg Services. By acquiring this Belgian supplier of printing chemicals, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is gaining vital know-how for developing and producing consumables in a key market segment. BluePrint offers a comprehensive range of dampening and washup solutions for sheetfed offset presses and has a particularly innovative approach to environmentally friendly products.

“BluePrint and Heidelberg have already worked together closely in the past,” says Peter Tix, head of Consumables at Heidelberg. “Under the umbrella of the Saphira portfolio, we’ll be continuing to develop the BluePrint range of consumables for print production while maintaining the highest standards in terms of the environment and reliability. The products will gradually be made available on the key markets for Heidelberg.” Sales of BluePrint products outside of Heidelberg’s customer base will be continued and are also to be expanded.

Purchasing BluePrint is a further logical step in expanding the Heidelberg consumables portfolio following the acquisition of UK coating manufacturer Hi-Tech Coatings in 2008. Heidelberg intends to systematically increase sales of consumables in the future. “We’re looking to become the world’s leading supplier of consumables in our industry in the medium term,” says Weimer.