What a significant time it is among the industry’s press manufacturers. New bosses at Heidelberg and Goss International, and some forthright comments from Manroland Sheetfed owner Tony Langley to throw into the mix. Langley is one of that rare breed of bosses able to say exactly what they please, without the usual worries about corporate or shareholder disapproval. In his interim statement Langley talks about rival press manufacturers languishing with “hopelessly disproportionate costs” but reasserts his belief that press manufacturing still has a long-term future for those with the right cost base. Getting costs right is an area where Langley and his team have a successful track record. I was interested to look up some of his previous pronouncements about ‘the Langley way’, with particular reference to Manroland, including: “We have a pretty good idea about what makes a successful engineering business and just get on with it. Those that can adapt to our style do so and those that can’t leave, but that is usually very few.” (No news on new MD for Manroland Sheetfed UK yet, by the way.) And: “We look at every single aspect of the business and basically question whether it makes sense. The devil is in the detail. In large, formerly institutional-style managed businesses like this and the others we have acquired in the past, there are ways of doing things that to the owner of any SME spending his own money would seem well, stupid. Many companies over a certain size seem to lose touch with the value of money. Our job is to put the ones that we acquire back in touch.” After almost six months under Langley ownership, we’re told Manroland Sheetfed is standing on its own feet financially, but we’ll have to wait until at least next year for a more detailed breakdown of the slimmed down operation’s performance. Getting costs right is one thing, but I wonder how the all-important task of restoring customer confidence is progressing? I can't pinpoint a single UK press order for the company since the change of ownership. A handful of international orders for Roland 900 presses in the Drupa timeframe perhaps points to a future area of focus for the company.   PS There is at least one new bit of Manroland kit out there. Langley has renamed his racing yacht Manroland Sheetfed, giving the brand some additional exposure not least with his recent win at Cowes Week. Not sure if this is something he does with all acquisitions?