The group has filed its 2024 accounts detailing overall sales of €1.2bn (£998m) and pre-tax profit of €124m. The results were on a par with the prior year, sales slipped by £3m and pre-tax profit by £429,000.

Sales at the 1,603-employee Print Technologies wing were down 5.75% at €313m.

In his chairman’s review Tony Langley said that 2024 had been a difficult year for Manroland Sheetfed due to a shortfall in orders, notably from the Chinese market which typically accounts for around 40% of new business.

However, 2025 had got off to a good start with an “unusually high order intake prior to Chinese New Year”.

Langley stated: “The sector generally remains subdued with investment in new presses at an historic low.

“Consolidation in the capital equipment sector looks to be inevitable and the group is actively looking for acquisition opportunities to complement existing activities in the sector.”

Although Manroland Sheetfed was loss-making last year, Langley said it continued to have the formal backing of the group.

“Restructuring measures initiated in 2023 have reduced the cost base at the German headquarters significantly and new management installed during the year is having a positive effect.”

He said that apprentice intake was being maintained and those who complete their training were offered permanent positions.

“Producing a modern offset litho printing press is a highly skilled affair and our perspective long term.”

He said print chemicals maker Druck Chemie and sister company BluePrint, had a good year, reporting strong trading results and were “unaffected by the dearth of capital spending in the sector”.

The overall Print Technologies division posted a loss, although Langley said that Manroland’s trade with other group companies, as well as rental income from its former HQ in Germany, “contributed to offsetting the press builder’s losses”.

In the UK Manroland Sheetfed is poised to run a VIP event at key customer Potts Print in Cramlington next month.

Managing director Daniel Godbold, who joined the business last summer, said it was time for the firm to raise its profile here in the UK.

“We have a powerful group behind us and the machinery we’re making is absolutely fantastic,” Godbold told Printweek.

“I want people to know that if they buy a press from us, we will be there to support them – we’re a great bunch, and we look after and support our customers and help them grow.”

Potts Print is a long-term user of Manroland presses, and installed the UK’s first Manroland Roland 700 Evolution press in 2021. It now runs two Roland 700 Evolution Elite models, a five- and a six-colour.

The event will include video presentations featuring the latest 20,000sph Roland 700 Evolution Speed, and its large-format Roland 900 Evolution, which has a maximum sheet format of 106x145cm.

As well as showcasing its press technology, technical experts will be on hand for customer-specific discussions.