Manufacturer comment

Jim Todd, sales director, Heidelberg UK
"I have mixed emotions. It's the news we'd been expecting, but when you actually read it it's frightening. We've been saying for some time that the customer base has contracted and the industry has consolidated, but that hasn't really happened to the equipment supplier base. It's a terribly sad situation, but something's got to give."

Christian Knapp, managing director, KBA UK
"My first reaction is one of real concern and empathy on the human level for the distress this news will cause to so many employees, customers and associates of this company, both in Germany and around the world.

"From a business perspective, I think we have all been aware that the economic turmoil of recent years has had the effect of accelerating and exacerbating structural changes in our sector to which some manufacturers have found it difficult to respond with sufficient speed. Now this development forces the issue and we must see how things develop... it is not the end of the book, it is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another."

Neil Sutton, managing director, Komori UK
"I'm shocked - it's bad news for the industry, particularly when it's a manufacturer that's been around for this long, with its reputation and history. It's very concerning that such a major player is facing these difficulties, but then again it is a sign of the times.

"The market has been through so much turmoil and now it's starting to affect the suppliers. There might be one less manufacturer to fight with, but whether that will create a significant improvement in business I doubt it. I imagine we'll see some form of Manroland going forward."

John Chambers, sales director, Goss International
"I'm sad to hear the news, but with the consolidation that's gone on in sheetfed there's no way there's room for three big German manufacturers producing sheetfed presses anymore. We have to be realistic about the industry we're operating in."

Murray Lock, managing director, M Partners
"It's very sad, I know a lot of people there. But there are no surprises. Just looking at the UK we have seen the sheetfed market drop by 75% in the last four years. Any manufacturer is going to be suffering. It's been happening to printers for years and it has to impact on manufacturers too."

Industry comment

David Bunker, business development director, Close Asset Finance
"I think it will be some time before the final story will come through but if Manroland's demise has come about then that will be a real shame especially for those employees and their familes. The structural changes in the market have meant that consolidation has been on the cards for some time.

"We still have some strong long standing players like KBA in the market who are investing and looking to gain market share. So for them and others there will be opportunities without a doubt."

Boxes Prestige operations director Mark White
"Manroland going under is potentially a big problem for us, however, I have been speaking with the guys at Manroland and they say there is nothing to worry about in the interim. I am confident that if the company does go into administration it will not happen overnight and will be managed over a period of time. I also believe that Manroland’s aftercare service will keep going as a separate division.

"My personal opinion is that someone will step in and take the business over, such as one of the big manufacturers.

"I’m really sad that they may go under, and I think its indicative of the state of the industry as a whole; we’re in the packaging sector, which is tough, and it’s even harder for commercial printers. If one of the big players like Manroland can go under, it shows that the industry is in a very serious situation."