After 25 years at Koenig & Bauer, Sammeck, also member of the executive board and chief data officer (CDO) of Koenig & Bauer AG, will retire on 30 June 2025.
Sammeck began his career with the business in 2000, as sales director and authorised signatory at Koenig & Bauer, and became CEO and president of Koenig & Bauer North America in 2002.
He has been member of the executive board of Koenig & Bauer AG since 2007, and in his role as CEO he is responsible for the Sheetfed segment while also latterly being responsible for the tasks of the CDO.
He has played a key role in steering the strategic direction of this segment in the group for around 18 years.
Under his leadership, Koenig & Bauer said the market share tripled and the product portfolio was expanded to include pre-press software and post-press machines, as well as digital printing, supported by digital offerings for the entire workflow process and digital service products (Kyana).
Dr Andreas Pleßke, CEO of Koenig & Bauer, commented: “Ralf Sammeck has succeeded in continuously establishing the Sheetfed segment as a complete solution provider and expanding market leadership in the packaging sector.
“In doing so, he has positioned the division for the future. With his instinct for customers and markets, he is a role model for the sales team worldwide.”
Markus Weiss, who has spent over 18 years with HP – most recently as general manager of HP Industrial Print EMEA, has been revealed as Sammeck’s successor.
In order to ensure “a sustainable and orderly handover in the interests of customer satisfaction”, Weiss will take up his position as managing director/CEO of Koenig & Bauer Sheetfed AG & Co. KG on 1 February 2025 and will be a member of the group management reporting to the executive board.
Sammeck said: “Markus Weiss is a strong, international leader who has built up an excellent network over the past almost 20 years and brings enormous experience in our industry.
“I am particularly pleased about this because our customers are very important to me.”
Weiss also commented: “Offset printing will remain the leading technology in packaging and commercial printing in the long-term, complemented by innovative solutions in the pre-press and post-press areas.
“At the same time, digital printing is becoming increasingly important. The optimal combination of both technologies opens up new growth opportunities for our customers and shows that their joint use will shape the future of the printing industry.
“I am delighted to be able to contribute my knowledge and experience in this exciting field to the leading packaging manufacturer with a great team.”
