Post-press giants Müller Martini and Hunkeler Group have become one company with Müller Martini acquiring all Hunkeler Group shares.
The family-owned companies have enjoyed a long association. It began during WWII, when Hans Müller worked for Hunkeler as a mechanical engineer before setting up his own business in 1946. The companies say the local proximity in Switzerland’s Zofingen region and existing partnership in the machine and component business form an ideal starting point for closer cooperation.
The deal creates opportunities for the companies to bundle their innovation activities and to serve their global customer base through joint sales and service activities. Bruno Müller, chief executive Müller Martini, says, “The graphic arts industry is constantly changing. As a result , it regularly calls for new innovations. We are combining the key components of the two companies, such as personnel, expertise and technology. In this way, we can serve our global clientele even better with innovative solutions in the future.”
Board members Stefan and Michel Hunkeler add, “There is a long-standing partnership between Hunkeler and Müller Martini and a regular exchange. The opportunity for the merger is currently greatly beneficial for both partners and our joint customers. It will result in considerable advantages in a combined enterprise. This is also a strong commitment for the Zofingen region.”
Key points concerning the acquisition:
The management of Hunkeler AG under the leadership of Daniel Erni will remain responsible for day-to-day business.
The name Hunkeler, the Hunkeler products and services as well as the Hunkeler Innovationdays will remain unchanged.
The Hunkeler location in Wikon and its employees will be retained.
The current day-to-day business continues unchanged.
Adjustments will be worked out together and implemented in a controlled manner.
International business will continue as normal via the current channels until further notice.
Müller Martini and Hunkeler intend to continue business with other finishing companies that currently partner with Hunkeler. They will comply with all existing contractual obligations.
In the coming days, they will launch an integration project in which the merger of the two companies will be worked out together. They will communicate findings and measures regularly and manage them with a steering committee.
They add, “We are firmly convinced that print products have a promising future. Our expanded solutions portfolio as well as our even greater consultancy expertise resulting from the merger of these two great companies will better position us to address the opportunities and benefits of the ongoing digital transformation in the market. As a result, we are an even stronger partner for end-to-end finishing solutions. This is particularly so for the growth segment of short run book production.”
