Koenig & Bauer|Celmacch (CONT’D FROM PAGE 42)
different configuration. More broadly, Koenig & Bauer|Cel- macch continues to see demand from both independent converters and larger integrated groups, with customers evaluating investments carefully as market conditions shift. Looking Ahead Four decades into the journey, the company is enter- ing a different phase of its growth. The foundation remains the same—family ownership, internal engineering, and a tight focus on flexo and rotary die cutting—but the scope around it is expanding. With Koenig & Bauer now part of the team, the company is positioned to move further into international markets. Then, there’s the biggest question that underscores any multi-generational family business, namely, what is the succession plan? “I have no immediate plans to retire, and my son is the CEO. I think we have a great team now, es- pecially now that we are Koenig & Bauer|Celmacch. I hope to stay in the business for a long time.” Koenig & Bauer Executive Team Visits Ultimate Paperbox’s L.A. Facility Los Angeles, California based Ultimate Paperbox (UPBX), a fast-growing custom packaging manufacturer, recently hosted top Koenig & Bauer sheetfed executives to its fa- cility. It was an opportunity for the German printing press manufacturer to visit a successful customer that utilizes a wide variety of Koenig & Bauer press and postpress equip- ment that generates its growth. The tour was guided by Janak Patel, president of UPBX, and included the operation of UPBX’s recent investment in its fourth Koenig & Bauer press – a Rapida 106 41-inch eight-color LED sheetfed press – to meet high-end, sus- tainable packaging demand and fast turnaround times. The group of executives witnessed the boost in UPBX’s postpress department where its folding and gluing depart- ment showcased a new Koenig & Bauer AllPro 110 FFG. Patel’s extensive knowledge of folding carton require- ments in all market segments guided the management group on future market developments and requirements in this growing market segment. Patel noted he is proud of his solid, long-standing partnership with Koenig & Bauer. From left, Markus Weiss, Managing Director and CEO of Koe- nig & Bauer Sheetfed; Janak Patel, President of Ultimate Paperbox; Dr. Stephen M. Kimmich, CEO of Koenig & Bauer; Jurgen Gruber, Sales Manager Sheetfed and Postpress Tech- nology at Koenig & Bauer (US/CA); and Jeff Dietz, Senior Vice President of Sales at Koenig & Bauer (US/CA).
Back in Milan, roughly 85 employees are hard at work across engineering, assembly, and support, with all core design handled internally. Mechanical development, elec- trical systems, and software all sit under the same roof, which helps streamline communication and offers flexibili- ty when quick pivots need to happen. “We have our technical office for mechanical design, and also for software and electrical,” says Luca. “All the know-how is developed internally.” Most mechanical components are sourced from long-standing partners in Northern Italy, many of whom specialize in high-precision machining and have worked with the company for years. The consistency that comes from those relationships tran- spires in the finished machines and in how the company manages production. Rather than relying on heavily customized components, the company leans toward commercially available motors and electrical systems whenever possible—an approach shaped by its early years in service. “Our philosophy is not to use customized parts when it’s not necessary,” says Rodolfo. “We prefer commercial components because it makes maintenance easier and lowers cost of ownership.” Production capacity at Koenig & Bauer|Celmacch shifts depending on machine configuration. For example, a flexo printer without a rotary die cutter can move through the plant more quickly, while high-graphics lines with integrat- ed converting require more time and floor space. In a typ- ical year, the company produces somewhere between 15 to 20 machines, though that number flexes with order mix. With more orders now coming from outside Europe, ex- pansion is being discussed, but the approach remains in- cremental. “We have a program to improve production and also to continue developing the company step by step,” says Rodolfo. “This calculated and intentional approach is what’s helped us be so successful up to this point.” That same discipline carries into how Koenig & Bau- er|Celmacch manages its product portfolio. The company has stayed focused on flexo printers and rotary die cutters, rather than branching into full case makers or other con- verting equipment. It’s a narrower lane, but one that allows the team to stay close to the technology and continue re- fining it. Within this segment, the company positions itself toward the higher end of the market, where expectations around print quality and machine performance are well es- tablished. Expanding The Line: ChromaCUT To broaden its offering without moving away from its core, Koenig & Bauer|Celmacch has introduced the latest addition to its ChromaCUT line of rotary die cutters. Unlike the company’s fixed-unit machines, ChromaCUT uses a movable-unit design, offering a unique balance between flexibility and configuration. The machine has been introduced to the market within the past several months and is positioned as an ideal unit for customers looking for high performance with a slightly 44 April 13, 2026
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