Koenig & Bauer is rapidly advancing the restructuring of the company announced in November 2024. The new segment structure, which reduces the number of segments from three to two, is being implemented successively.
On 1 December 2024, Christian Steinmaßl assumed leadership of various areas within the Special & New Technologies segment, and the Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems segment has been under the responsibility of Markus Weiß since 1 February 2025. He succeeds Ralf Sammeck, who will retire in June 2025. Both are members of the group management and represent their respective segments.
As part of the strategic realignment, Christoph Müller has announced that he will step down from his position as a member of the executive board on 31 March 2025, at his own request, as part of the generational change. This is a further step in the planned reduction of the executive board from initially five to two members in the future.
Already in the middle of 2024, Müller handed over the position of CEO of Digital & Webfed AG & Co. KG to Philipp Zimmermann in order to focus more on the expansion of technologies and partnerships in the field of digital printing as a member of the executive board. To continue to leverage his many years of expertise and the international network of customers and partners that has grown over decades for Koenig & Bauer, he will support Koenig & Bauer as an executive advisor in the future.
Christoph Müller played a decisive role in the transformation from traditional gravure printing to modern high-performance digital printing. It was not without challenges and reflected the balancing act between innovation and the necessary investments. Under his leadership, pioneering projects were initiated that have advanced the company in the areas of packaging and digital printing.
Collaboration with partners such as Sealed Air was also an important component of these developments. This collaboration laid the foundation for the development of the globally unique RotaJET industrial digital printing press, which serves not only packaging and book printing but also high-performance industrial printing for decor and beverage cartons. In addition, his long-standing network led to successful collaboration with Hewlett Packard (HP), which resulted in the HP PageWide T1190, T700 and T500 products.
In addition to these partnerships, the acquisition of a stake in Celmacch played an important role in the Group’s entry into direct corrugated board printing. These strategic alliances have sustainably expanded Koenig & Bauer’s product portfolio and strengthened its market position. Müller adds, “After many years in operational responsibility, I am pleased to remain connected to Koenig & Bauer as an Executive Advisor in the next phase, to pass on my network built up over decades and to strengthen and promote customer relationships and partnerships. The close exchange with our global customers and partners is a matter close to my heart, and I am convinced that together we can unlock further opportunities.”
As part of the ‘Spotlight’ focus program, Koenig & Bauer announced the ‘D&W 2.0’ reorganisation program in early May 2024, which was led by Dr Andreas Pleßke, CEO of Koenig & Bauer. By 31 March 2025, the implementation of the measures will be largely completed. From this point on, Christian Steinmaßl, as a member of the Group Management, will assume responsibility for the Digital & Webfed business unit within the Special & New Technologies segment, in addition to his previous areas of responsibility in Industrial, Vision & Protection, Kyana and Group Purchasing.
“Printing is our core business and innovation is our driving force, which is why I look forward to working with the management of Digital & Webfed, Mr Philipp Zimmermann (CEO), and the motivated team to successfully develop the Digital & Webfed business area. We have great opportunities ahead of us, such as broadening our flexographic web printing business in new market segments. I also look forward to exciting new customer projects for the RotaJET, to tailor-made hybrid printing solutions to meet the trends and requirements of the packaging industry. Together with our customers, we are shaping print production and unlocking potential in web printing. Every day offers new opportunities to learn and make a difference, together with the Digital & Webfed team, our customers and the exciting projects that lie ahead,” confirms Christian Steinmaßl.
