Heidelberg in merger talks with Manroland

[Cory Smith]

From Print CEO this morning:

Bloomberg is reporting Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG is in merger talks with manroland AG. Bloomberg cites a report in German financial paper Platow Brief. In comments to Bloomberg, Matthias Hartung, spokesman for Heidelberger Druck stated, “These are market rumors and we don’t comment on market rumors.” Manroland declined to comment.

Allianz, a German insurer, has a 65% stake in manroland and a 12% stake in Heidelberger Druck. Heidelberger Druck stock closed at 4.90 euros, a 5.8% increase, for its highest close in 6 weeks.

Print CEO - Printing Industry News and Opinion – Heidelberg in merger talks with Manroland

[Mike Herndon]

and the Heidelberg plot thickens..

Mike

[rbailleu]

I think this would be great.

[mbalokesh]

I think with this merger no merging company would get anything extraordinary. We all know that both these companies are among the topmost companies of this industry, But sharing technologies would do something, we all know that heidelberg machines are best, but roland machines ar not much behind frm that of heidelberg. I thing Man Roland will be more profitable in this deal

Regards
Lokesh Sarawgi

[nagrom]

I spoke to both companies today about it and both think it's just the same old rumour that's been around for the last 4 years

[GeorgeA]

A German magazine is reporting that Shanghai Electric is investigating the purchase of Manroland’s sheet-fed press business. A few more details (plus a link to the German source) are here:

A buyer for Manroland’s sheetfed business?

[GeorgeA]

Printweek is reporting that Shanghai Electric has denied the rumor that it is in talks with Manroland to buy its sheet-fed business. The German magazine Deutscher Drucker had reported about that rumor last week.

Here is a link to the Printweek article:

Shanghai Electric denies German media claims about Manroland

[Printers Devil UK]

You have a feeling that something is going to happen here. Heidelberg, manroland, and KBA are all losing money. It makes sense for manroland's web expertise to come together with Heidelberg's sheet fed excellence - but that could then mean 2,500 people out of work from manroland's sheetfed operation. There would seem to be over-capacity in the market - this is certainly one solution! But if the Chinese pick up manroland's press manufacturing expertise, are we not then back to square one?

Printers Devil UK

[Erik Nikkanen]

I spoke to both companies today about it and both think it's just the same old rumour that's been around for the last 4 years

A rumor? That's too bad.

I have always dreamed of having my ITB technology on a "mandelberg" press. :-)

[rbailleu]

I think Heidelroland would be better. but maybe manberger or manroldelberg.. or since the german government is backing heidelberg. Deutch schnell pressen.