Müller Martini announces the acquisition of the Hunkeler Group. The Hunkeler family and the Crédit Mutuel Equity investment fund have sold their entire stake to Müller Martini, for an undisclosed sum.
Founded in 1922, Hunkeler Wikon specializes in converting systems for high-speed digital printing, and employs around 300 people. Muller Martini, which offers finishing systems for the production of books, brochures and magazines, employs around 1,300 people and operates three production sites (in Zofingen and Hasle in Switzerland, and Rahden in Germany).
The two family-owned Swiss groups specializing in forming solutions have been close friends for many years. During the Second World War, Hans Müller worked for Hunkeler as a mechanical engineer, before setting up his own company in 1946 and founding Hans Müller/Grapha, which became Müller Martini in 1969.
Today, the two groups have forged partnerships in the fields of machinery and components.
After the takeover, the Hunkeler name, Hunkeler products and services and Hunkeler Innovation Days will remain unchanged. The Wikon site and jobs will be retained, say the two groups. Hunkeler CEO Daniel Erni will remain in charge of day-to-day business.
Bruno Müller, CEO of Muller Martini, comments: "The graphic arts sector is constantly evolving and regularly requires new innovations. By combining the key elements of both companies, such as people, expertise and technology, we will be able to serve our global customer base even better with innovative solutions in the future."
