The British industrial group Langley Holdings had announced that Manroland Sheetfed's financial situation was "unsustainable" and that several options were being considered for the future of the business. The owner of the sheetfed offset press manufacturer has now taken the next step. Manroland Sheetfed, based in Offenbach am Main, Germany, has filed for insolvency under the "Schutzschirmverfahren" regime. Under German law, this system enables a company to restructure while retaining control of its operations, under the supervision of a court-appointed administrator.
Mirko Kern, Managing Director of Manroland Sheetfed, announces that job cuts are expected. The number of jobs affected is not yet known.
Mirko Kern, CEO of Manroland Sheetfed, said: "It is regrettable that a large number of jobs will be cut, but I call on the works council and the unions to cooperate with what we and the restructuring experts have concluded are the necessary measures to achieve a viable business and preserve the remaining jobs."
Langley Holdings, which took over Manroland's sheetfed division in 2012 after the historic offset press manufacturer went bankrupt, is providing financial support for the proceedings.
Restructuring specialists are accompanying the company. Arndt Geiwitz, an expert involved in the proceedings, believes that the company still has a viable industrial activity, but indicates that major measures will be necessary.
Major losses in the presses business
Despite a portfolio of sheetfed offset presses still present on the market, sales have fallen in recent years due to the slowdown in the global printing press market.
The Chinese market, which historically accounted for around 40% of new press sales, is particularly hard hit by this contraction.
In its 2025 financial statements, Langley Holdings reports that Manroland Sheetfed recorded a loss of 43.2 million euros for the year. At the same time, the group reported a pre-tax profit of 152.3 million euros.
Anthony Langley, the Group's Chairman and CEO, points out that many printers, often independent SMEs, still depend on Manroland presses, and he reiterates that the objective remains to ensure continuity of technical support for the installed base, "whatever solution we adopt" .
