Koenig & Bauer is reporting positive results following the 11th Beijing International Printing Exhibition (China Print), which took place from 15th to 19th May. Despite a challenging market environment, the printing press manufacturer says it significantly surpassed its own expectations and further solidified its leading position in the Chinese market.
Across a stand spanning over 1,000 square meters, Koenig & Bauer presented a large portion of its extensive product portfolio from the areas of press, postpress, and digitalization, under the motto ‘More choices, More agility, More efficiency.’
Over 221,500 international trade visitors used China Print as an information, communication, and inspiration platform to further develop their business concepts. Highlights included live productions on a Rapida 105 with eight printing units and coating equipment, as well as inkjet prints from the VariJET 106 digital folding carton press. Metal and hollow-body printing, as well as web printing (digital and offset), also generated significant interest.
Successes in Chinese market
Koenig & Bauer says it underscores its market leadership in supplying large-format sheetfed offset presses to China. The company is extremely successful in the field of long presses with complex finishing configurations. Furthermore, the continuous growth in packaging production is leading to increased interest in Koenig & Bauer’s state-of-the-art machinery and equipment, it says.
“China Print has been an incredibly important event for Koenig & Bauer for many years. This year, we were once again able to welcome customers from all over the world and successfully showcase our Group’s broad product portfolio. This market is of enormous importance for the future of our industry,” said Stephen Kimmich, CFO of Koenig & Bauer.
Optimistic outlook
The positive trade fair results fit into the current overall picture. Despite global challenges and a demanding market environment, Koenig & Bauer says it is pleased with a stable order situation, and thus confident about the 2025 financial year. Numerous intensive sales discussions and new leads also suggest a lively post-exhibition business.
Outside the exhibition, purchasing incentives from government-funded programs, such as those in Italy, have also contributed to the strong order situation. Following a new edition of the Italian economic promotion program PNRR in January 2025, which is based on European funds, corresponding investment incentives were created. These led to an unexpectedly high order intake from Italy, valued at over 50 million Euros, in less than four months. This includes medium and large-format sheetfed offset presses, as well as central cylinder flexo presses.
Significant sales agreements at China Print
During China Print, orders for a large number of new sheetfed offset presses were received across all formats. The sales agreements underscore customers’ confidence in Koenig & Bauer’s technology.
“My goal is to optimally combine and continuously optimise the strengths of offset and digital printing, thereby offering our customers maximum added value. The needs of our customers are our absolute focus. Optimized user-friendliness, automation, quality, sustainability and efficiency guide our technologies – and with that, we are the reliable partner for the future that customers want,” explained Markus Weiss, CEO of Koenig & Bauer Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems.
Xingtai Shifa Packaging Products opted for a customized Rapida 105 with six printing units and coating equipment. The machine, in a special format of 780 x 1,050 mm, is equipped with FAPC fully automatic plate changers, extensive washing systems, and other automation features.
To meet the growing demand for high-quality printed products, increase efficiency, and simultaneously reduce costs, Xingtai Shifa Packaging first invested in Koenig & Bauer’s sheetfed offset technology in 2014. Zhang Jinduo, chairman of the company, explains his decision, “Koenig & Bauer has a professional service team that supports us quickly and effectively whenever needed. That’s a completely new level of quality.”
Qingdao Changtai Packaging ordered a Rapida 164 with six printing units and coating equipment (max. sheet format 1,205 x 1,640 mm). As a modern packaging company, Changtai Packaging offers integrated printing solutions for a variety of solid and corrugated cardboard packaging. “Koenig & Bauer’s market leadership in large-format packaging printing encouraged us to collaborate with them,” said Zhang Kezhu, chairman of Changtai Packaging.
