MGWS said the deal, which was completed yesterday (20 December), is “the next important step in the development of its strategy to be the most advanced solution provider to the web offset printing industry”.
MGWS and GWS have already closely cooperated in the field of used equipment, heatset press service and on the former’s existing Market-X e-commerce platform.
Manroland Goss chief executive Alexander Wassermann said: “The acquisition of GWS and Dovak by MGWS is a logical consequence of the many years of cooperation between the companies and the numerous project successes celebrated between the companies.
“Teaming our forces and solutions will result in an even broader portfolio to the printing industry worldwide. We expect the used equipment market and related services to grow within the next years, so adding GWS gives us the chance to become an even stronger and broader supplier in this business area.”
Waalwijk-based GWS’ previous owners Eric van Kessel and Walter Donkers will continue as managers of the business. In a joint statement, they said: “The graphic industry is facing constant change and it is obvious that suppliers seek to cooperate.
“Being part of the Manroland Goss group will allow us to develop and accelerate our growth plan for the business, increase market presence and support the MGWS business strategy in the new setup.
“In the area of used web offset equipment and related projects GWS will be given the chance to act as a standalone company in line with the clear MGWS vision to maintain the entrepreneurial approach GWS is known for and at the same time GWS will be able to extend its network and market reach.”
Separately, last month MGWS secured the intellectual property rights for all Harland Simon products and took on a team of engineers to support its existing install base, after the Bletchley-based press control systems provider went into administration in October.
MGWS said the deal would enable it to offer “a wide breadth of retrofit upgrades”.
“It reinforces the focus on growing our aftermarket and service business for the installed base worldwide,” said Wassermann at the time.
Augsburg, Germany-headquartered MGWS was formed earlier this year following a merger between Manroland Web Systems and Goss International’s printing press business.
