Printing equipment manufacturers Durst and Koenig & Bauer have appointed Robert Stabler as managing director to lead their new joint venture company for digital packaging printing systems.
New company Koenig & Bauer Durst GmbH has been formed as a result of a strategic agreement between Koenig & Bauer and Durst Phototechnik to combine the two companies’ strengths in the folding carton and corrugated markets. The first project will be the manufacturing of the VariJET 106 press for digital folding carton printing, in time for drupa 2020. The joint venture’s portfolio also includes the Koenig & Bauer CorruJET 170 and the Durst SPC 130, including all associated services and ink business.
Mr Stabler grew up in the UK and has global experience in technology companies servicing the graphic arts and document management industries. Before joining Koenig & Bauer Durst, he was senior vice president with Xerox’s Continuous Feed business, based in Rochester, New York, USA. Previous executive roles also included HP and Agfa. He takes up his new role as of 1 August 2019.
‘I am really excited to take on this new challenge in the folding carton and corrugated packaging markets,’said Mr Stabler. ‘Both are ripe for digital transformation with run lengths declining in both segments and brands crying out for very good, cost effective, short-run and versioning solutions.
‘We will add all the competencies of Durst and Koenig & Bauer to leverage the best solutions. Durst with its expertise in digital imaging, production systems, inks and software integration, Koenig & Bauer with all its mechanical knowledge, high duty cycle process, engineering, paper transport capabilities plus, of course, the great go-to-market expertise of both teams.’
Durst Group CEO Christoph Gamper said, ‘We welcome Robert Stabler who has an impressive track record, is an inspirational leader and is accomplished in proactively managing change management as well as substantial experience in developing new markets. The team we’ll create for the joint venture will supply the necessary solutions in markets where digital production lines offer huge opportunities for the folding carton and corrugated fibreboard industries.’
Claus Bolza-Schünemann, CEO at Koenig & Bauer, added, ‘This is the start of something very special in the printing and packaging industry. We are incredibly excited by the opportunities ahead of us and we are confident being able to form a superb team led by Robert Stabler.’
