Bobst extends coating capabilities

The web-fed business unit supplies web-fed printing and converting equipment for the flexible materials and folding carton industries.

Bobst’s core competences in coating are based in the production plant of Bobst Italia in San Giorgio Monferrato, in northern Italy. With more than 50 years of know-how in gravure printing, coating methods, drying systems and web substrate handling, the facility is Bobst’s Centre of Excellence for gravure printing, laminating and coating technologies.

A recent project for the supply of a new aluminum lacquering line to a major European converter has furthered Bobst’s decision to create a coating product line operation within its web-fed business unit.

This has been supported by the appointment of Detlef Merklinger as head of its coating product line operations.

Bobst said the strengthening of the team of specialists dedicated to this market sector underline the continuity of its commitment to provide ‘excellence in the field of coating’. The strategy is to expand its capabilities and product offering to further develop additional segments, including paper coating and laminating, labelstock, tape production, siliconizing, aluminum lacquering and printed electronics.

Merklinger has held a number of senior management positions during his 20-year career in the converting industry, with special expertise in all aspects of labelstock production and markets.

He was also responsible for the coating and laminating operations of Valmet Rotomec in the late 1990s, prior to its acquisition by Bobst in 2004.

Erik Bothorel (pictured, right), the head of Bobst’s web-fed business unit and member of the group’s executive committee, said: ‘I am pleased to welcome back Detlef Merklinger and wish him well as he joins the management team of the web-fed business unit. The deep knowledge and international experience of the converting market that he has developed and brings along is the ideal background for heading our coating product line.

‘We are confident that he will leverage our leading-edge technology through his market knowledge to strengthen our leadership rank and achieve our growth objectives in the coating sector.’

Merklinger (pictured, left) said: ‘I have been very impressed by the engineering excellence and operational efficiency of Bobst coating solutions. I look forward to building on the momentum behind the growth of recent years to further expand our hold in the global market.

‘Planned investment in Bobst Italia’s technology center will also enable widening of the range of applications available for research and development testing, and trial runs for new developments in coating technologies.’