'Regaining trust' task ahead for MPS Printing

After rumors had been circulating for some time about financial hardship within MPS, the company announced that four of its Dutch entities would file for bankruptcy in 2025. A myriad of issues contributed to its financial difficulties, but Michiel Borst, CEO of MPS, says a prospective buyer pulled out of a deal late into the process, leaving the company no choice but to declare bankruptcy on 28 October 2025.

MPS Holding, MPS Systems, MPS Service & Commissioning and MPS Supply Chain will continue moving through the bankruptcy process. The business will now continue as MPS Printing after the group announced a management buyout on 21st November 2025.

The MBO team is formed by Borst along with Richard Miedema, Bert van den Brink and Nick Tyrer. Miedeama takes on the role of commercial director, and Tyrer is managing director of MPS UK, the same positions both held in MPS. Additionally, Tyrer will work as area sales director at MPS in the Netherlands. Bert van den Brink is one of the original founders of the company.

Despite the financial challenges it faced, Borst believes MPS Printing still has the potential to thrive, as its long-standing reputation and strong relationships will assist the team as it begins to rebuild. 

Borst says: 'A leaner organization has been formed that is fully capable of all of the activities the "old" MPS was capable of, at a reduced capacity, but with the know-how on board to scale up as the business grows. The business model is not aimed to grow at all costs, but to grow sustainably. 

'MPS Printing's short-term focus will be on becoming a stable, healthy and reliable partner to the industry that can be trusted,’ he continues. ‘A large portion of this will be to provide best-in-class service to the large customer and installed base.

‘This does not mean that we will continue to deliver new equipment to the market at any price.’

Those converters who purchased machines before the bankruptcy have been contacted and, where viable, ‘solutions have been worked out,’ says Borst.

Borst shared that one of the key metrics for the first year after the buyout will be 'customer satisfaction'. 

The CEO says that the primary focus of the business 'will be on machines that require the best technology' adding that, 'the new business model allows for sustainable growth in machine sales.' 

 MPS Printing’s future

Before the buyout, there were four Dutch entities within the Netherlands-based business and from now on, all activities will take place under MPS Printing. The three remaining entities remain in the insolvency process. 

Borst says: 'MPS Systems has operated globally through three subsidiaries. These subsidiaries do not form part of the new structure that remain in the insolvency process of MPS Systems. However, MPS Systems’ main distribution network consisted of independent and very loyal agents.' 

Borst is realistic about the challenges that lie ahead. 

'Restarting after an insolvency is not easy. 

Even though we have a loyal customer base and very loyal supplier base, some parties in the supply chain have unfortunately faced some financial or operational disturbance,’ he says. ‘Regaining trust from both sides will be our main challenge.' 

The company has not been able to retain every employee position, with Borst sharing that the company is being restarted with half the previous number of staff. However, Borst says: 'We have been able to retain a significant number of employees, keeping key know-how on board, securing the continuity of the business, and with an eye on scaling up the business as we face sustainable growth.' 

Borst says that many existing MPS customers have shared 'overwhelmingly supportive' feedback regarding the restructuring after the bankruptcy order. 'We appreciate all of the support we have received from our customers and partners throughout this process.’

MPS Printing will continue to focus on its EF Packaging mid-web line of flexo presses officially launched at Labelexpo Europe 2025, along with a ‘renewed focus’ on its hybrid label press offerings and further investment in automation and connectivity.

Borst did not disclose the financial details of the buyout but did share that there are no plans to change the location of any of its sites going forward.