A familiar name in the print sector across Africa and the Middle East, Manroland Sheetfed is set to close its historic Offenbach factory in GermanyIn recent years, the German press builder, founded in 1871, received financial support from its parent company, Langley Holdings plc, allowing it to continue exporting its huge print machines to the world.Last October, South Africa’s Government Printing Works ordered the cutting-edge ROLAND 710 Evolution from Manroland Sheetfed, which boasts a production capability of 16,000 sheets per hour, making it one of the most efficient presses in its class.In November, Manroland Sheetfed announced the successful installation of the ROLAND 706 LV Evolution at Jamjoom Pharmaceuticals Co. in Saudi Arabia, underlining its broad footprint across the region.While the print machinery group enjoyed great success across the region in decades past, its decline reflects a shrinking market for printing presses globally.Business in China, its primary overseas market, has also suffered in recent years.In a recent interview with the publication Printweek, the company's chairman, Tony Langley, said “And then the final coup de grâce was the 100% US tariffs that also had an effect on the rest of the industry – I would say that confidence in making capital investments is probably at an all-time low."The closure of the Offenbach site could mean the loss of more than 600 jobs.Manroland Sheetfed’s spares and service business has also been put up for sale.Read more:
Historic printing press factory set to close
Manroland Sheetfed machinery is well known in Africa (Image source: Manroland Sheetfed)
