manroland Goss says it expects a big increase in web press orders this year.
The company says it generated sales of 220 million Euros (A$31.19 million) in 2020, and 3.2 million Euros, in positive earnings before interest and taxes, equivalent to 1.4 per cent.
A “significant increase” in incoming orders, especially for new web offset presses, and a further stabilisation of profitability are forecasted for 2021, some of it arising from the acquisition of the Thallo packaging printing technology.
With 2020 “strongly influenced” by the COVID-19 pandemic, orders for new printing systems fell below expectations although those in the service business remained largely stable.
Chief executive Franz Kriechbaum says his philosophy of “rethinking the existing" has become firmly anchored in the company since the 2018 merger of manroland and Goss.
“We are constantly on the move and are seizing many new opportunities created through rethinking our processes,” he says. “As market conditions remain challenging, this agility and solution orientation in corporate management and company development are key success factors.”
manroland Goss said net debt improved by 7.5 million Euros compared to the previous year, “thus continueing to demonstrate a solid financial and capital structure.
“This is also supported by the shareholders L. Possehl, Lübeck and American Industrial Partners, New York.”
For 2021, the group expects a significant increase in incoming orders, not just in commercial and newspaper printing, but with growth in web-offset packaging printing solutions. With the fully automated and high-performance Varioman and new Thallo, manroland Goss has two 'variable-sleeve' models for the growing packaging printing market segment.
Service offerings are also being renewed with products such as the Maintellisense platform, but also ‘Participate’ collaborative approach to spare and wear parts supply, and 3D-printed parts.
“Despite continuing uncertainty about the course of the pandemic, the order situation is expected to increase significantly and profitability to stabilise,” the company says.