In Brazil this week for the Expoprint trade show, press maker Koenig & Bauer has announced a new expanded focus as “complete technology provider”.
The German manufacturer – which boasts a 29-strong team in Brazil – has a six-olour press at this week’s show, which claims to be the largest such event in the Americas.
K&B used the event to announce its ‘Impact’ strategic direction, transforming it from machine manufacturer to “complete technology provider” with a strong focus on AI, automation and digital printing, and its direction for the next decade.
The letters of ‘IMPACT’ each represent a strategic pillar – Intelligence, Market, People, Adaptability, Competitiveness, and Technology – and form the backbone of the company's new strategic framework.
Chief executive Stephen Kimmich said the new focus was on long-term resilience and technological positioning. “In challenging times, we do not rely on the markets to calm down, but actively shape the future of our industry,” he said.
“The market data shows us the door; we have to walk through it ourselves. (We are) acting – decisively, innovatively, and in the interest of the sustainable success of our customers.”
AI was being “holistically integrated” into processes and products, with the established ‘AI Empower’ programme, and increased efficiency through software, AI, and automation, “while simultaneously creating digital ecosystems for customers”.
Product variants were being introduced to gain market share in high-volume and price-sensitive mid-tech segments, including digital printing, postpress and high-performance flexo, “these products are now ready for global expansion”.
Kimmich (pictured) said the company was also “adjusting its value chain” to significantly increase resilience against global economic fluctuations, as well as expanding its profitable service business. Expansion of its digital printing sector will also underpin technological leadership in traditional offset printing.
With ‘I ACT’ “literally embedded” within the new focus, employees must ask themselves daily whether their actions are creating exactly the ‘impact’ that drives the company and its customers forward.
“The principle of joint self-efficacy becomes the central driver of success here: when every individual takes responsibility and is convinced that their own actions make a valuable contribution to the whole, a collective strength emerges that sustainably bolsters Koenig & Bauer as a reliable partner and innovation leader in the industry.” Kimmich said.