Koenig & Bauer Launches Strategic Framework for Growth & Technological Leadership

Koenig & Bauer AG presented its new strategic framework, “IMPACT”, designed to drive the transformation from a traditional manufacturer to a complete technology provider. 

Building on the success of the “Exceeding Print” strategy (2021 – 2025), Koeing & Bauer is realigning its priorities to actively shape the challenges of the volatile global economy and continue making a significant contribution to its customers worldwide. 

The individual letters of the word “IMPACT” each represent a strategic pillar: Intelligence, Market, People, Adaptability, Competitiveness, and Technology form the backbone of the company’s new strategic framework. 

With a clear focus on technological intelligence, operational excellence, and proactive adaptability, the company aims to actively shape the future of the printing industry and ensure sustainable competitiveness.

Dr. Stephen Kimmich, CEO of Koenig & Bauer, said, “In challenging times, we do not rely on the markets to calm down, but actively shape the future of our industry. The market data shows us the door; we have to walk through it ourselves. Koenig & Bauer is acting – decisively, innovatively, and in the interest of the sustainable success of our customers.”

Intelligence

Koenig & Bauer is holistically integrating AI into its processes and products. With the already established ‘AI Empower’ program, the company is driving forward a massive cultural and technological shift.

The focus is on increasing the efficiency of its own operations through software, AI, and automation, while simultaneously creating digital ecosystems for customers, such as myKyana.

Go-to-Market

A key growth driver is the targeted development of global growth markets such as Asia, India, Latin America, and the Middle East. To gain market share in the high-volume and price-sensitive mid-tech segment, Koenig & Bauer is expanding its range with suitable product variants.

People

Koenig & Bauer is investing in modern, digital working tools and focusing on the qualification and further training of its employees. In addition, customer success is to be optimized through an appropriate range of training courses.

At the same time, the “P” also stands for ‘Pace’ and ‘Performance’. Through lean organizational structures and smart processes, the company is significantly increasing its speed of reaction to market changes to serve customer requirements more efficiently.

Adaptability

To significantly increase resilience against global economic fluctuations, Koenig & Bauer is adjusting its value chain. The company is moving away from rigid capacity limits towards a flexible model with stable base utilization of its own plants. 

Competitiveness

Considering enormous global cost pressure, new tariff barriers, and intense competition, Koenig & Bauer is working with the highest priority on optimizing its manufacturing costs. 

The company is securing its competitiveness through cross-divisional cost reduction programs, improved make-or-buy decisions, and global procurement strategies. 

The objective is to operate with technological and economic independence and to be future-proof across all addressed markets – from the high-end to the mid-tech segment.

Technology

Koenig & Bauer is expanding its offering in the rapidly growing industrial digital printing sector, with the VariJET and RotaJET, among others. 

With innovations such as the security systems from Koenig & Bauer Vision & Protection or the digital packaging platform AURAVEO, Koenig & Bauer provides answers to the growing global need for product protection, error prevention, and direct end-customer communication. 

“IMPACT” now focuses on long-term resilience and technological positioning up to 2030+. 

The previously initiated focus on operational excellence and cost efficiency finds its logical continuation in the IMPACT pillar ‘Competitiveness’ and represents the operational transition from the predecessor strategy “Exceeding Print” to “IMPACT”.