The fate of Manroland Sheetfed has been sealed. Has been undergoing insolvency proceedings under court protection since March , the German manufacturer of sheetfed offset presses is selling its service and spare parts business to Heidelberg.
Heidelberg is thus immediately taking over 35 sales and technical subsidiaries located in more than 170 countries, representing nearly 600 employees. The agreement also covers technologies, intellectual property related to maintenance and spare parts operations, as well as certain assets.
For the approximately 3%E2euros%89000 users of Manroland presses, this transition should ensure continuity of service and the supply of parts. Manroland's usual customer contacts are expected to remain in place in most countries.
A buyer for the service, but not for the presses
However, this resumption does not apply to Manroland's manufacturing operations in Offenbach . The press manufacturer, whose history dates back to 1871, was unable to convince an investor to resume production of the machines.
"The loss of production in Offenbach is a painful %E2euros%93 for the employees, for the plant, and for the industry, laments Oliver Brückner, general representative of SGP Schneider Geiwitz in the proceedings. "On the other hand, the acquisition of the service and parts business by a buyer ensures continuity for both customers and employees. That was our main goal throughout the process."
Anthony Langley, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Langley Holdings, the parent company of Manroland Sheetfed, notes: "The agreement with Heidelberg ensures the continued supply of services and spare parts while integrating the business into a global organization with the scale and infrastructure necessary to support manroland users over the long term."
The Roland 900 Cartonmaster is also being installed at Heidelberg
In addition to the global service network, Heidelberg is also acquiring the intellectual property for the Roland 900, a large-format sheetfed offset press designed primarily for the folding carton market. This technology played a central role in Heidelberg?s return to the very large-format segment. In June 2025, the company unveiled the Cartonmaster CX 145, developed from Manroland Sheetfed?s Roland 900 Evolution platform as part of a partnership between the two manufacturers.
With this acquisition, Heidelberg is no longer merely using its partner's technology. The German manufacturer has now acquired the intellectual property and says it is exploring the production and development prospects for this platform.
David Schmedding, a member of Heidelberg's Executive Board in charge of technology and sales, summarizes: " This integration is the logical next step in our core business strategy. With the acquisition of the global service and spare parts business for Manroland presses, we are offering print shops a smooth transition in the operation of their systems. Our customers thus benefit from a significantly more comprehensive range of services, a reliable supply of spare parts, and innovative solutions?all from a single point of contact. This creates lasting added value for our customers around the world."
