Koenig & Bauer has reported 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 press manufacturer significantly surpassed its own expectations and further solidified its position in the Chinese market.
Across a stand spanning over 1,000 sqm, Koenig & Bauer presented a large portion of its extensive product portfolio from the areas of Press, Postpress, and Digitalisation, under the motto “More choices, More agility, More efficiency”.
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.
“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 Dr. Stephen Kimmich, CFO of Koenig & Bauer.
The positive trade fair results fit into the current overall picture. Despite global challenges and a demanding market environment, Koenig & Bauer 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 programmes, such as those in Italy, have also contributed to the strong order situation. Following a new edition of the Italian economic promotion programme 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 €50m, in less than four months. This includes medium and large-format sheetfed offset presses, as well as central cylinder flexo presses.
“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. Optimised 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, Koenig & Bauer Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems.
Xingtai Shifa Packaging Products opted for a customised Rapida 105 with six printing units and coating equipment. The machine, in a special format of 780 x 1,050mm, 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.
Qingdao Changtai Packaging ordered a Rapida 164 with six printing units and coating equipment. As a modern packaging company, Changtai Packaging offers integrated printing solutions for a variety of solid and corrugated board packaging. “Koenig & Bauer’s market leadership in large-format packaging printing encouraged us to collaborate with them,” said Zhang Kezhu, Chairman, Changtai Packaging.
