On Course for Success With “IMPACT”: Koenig & Bauer Launches Strategic Framework for Growth and Technological Leadership

Koenig & Bauer AG today presented its new strategic framework, “IMPACT”, designed to drive the transformation from a traditional manufacturer to a complete technology provider. Building on the success of the “Exceeding Print” strategy (2021 – 2025), the company is now realigning its priorities for the coming decade to actively shape the challenges of the volatile global economy and continue making a significant contribution to the success of its customers worldwide. With a clear focus on technological intelligence, operational excellence, and proactive adaptability, the company aims to actively shape the future of the printing industry and ensure sustainable competitiveness.

The individual letters of the word “IMPACT” each represent a strategic pillar: Intelligence, Market, People, Adaptability, Competitiveness, and Technology form the backbone of the company's new strategic framework. Dr. Stephen Kimmich, CEO of Koenig & Bauer, summarises the significance: “In challenging times, we do not rely on the markets to calm down, but actively shape the future of our industry. The market data shows us the door; we have to walk through it ourselves. Koenig & Bauer is acting – decisively, innovatively, and in the interest of the sustainable success of our customers.”

Koenig & Bauer is holistically integrating artificial intelligence into its processes and products. With the already established 'AI Empower' programme, the company is driving forward a massive cultural and technological shift.

The focus is on increasing the efficiency of its own operations through software, AI, and automation, while simultaneously creating digital ecosystems for customers, such as myKyana. Koenig & Bauer is thus gradually transforming from a pure machine manufacturer into a comprehensive technology provider that delivers hardware and AI-supported process optimisation from a single source.

Koenig & Bauer has the broadest product portfolio in the printing industry and is now focusing on its rapid scaling. A key growth driver is the targeted development of global growth markets such as Asia, India, Latin America, and the Middle East. To gain market share in the high-volume and price-sensitive mid-tech segment as well, Koenig & Bauer is expanding its range with suitable product variants. Following the successful market launch of groundbreaking innovations in recent years – including the RotaJET and VariJET in digital printing, state-of-the-art solutions in the postpress sector, as well as high-performance CI Flexo systems and a complete product portfolio for the corrugated board industry – these products are now ready for global expansion.

To significantly increase resilience against global economic fluctuations, Koenig & Bauer is adjusting its value chain. The company is moving away from rigid capacity limits towards a flexible model with stable base utilisation of its own plants. This is complemented by local procurement and assembly strategies to reduce dependencies in the supply chain. Furthermore, the profitable service business, which already accounts for around 30 per cent of Group revenue, acts as a strong financial anchor and will be consistently expanded further.

Technological advantage must go hand in hand with economic strength. In light of enormous global cost pressure, new tariff barriers, and intense competition, Koenig & Bauer is working with the highest priority on optimising its manufacturing costs. The company is securing its competitiveness through cross-divisional cost reduction programmes, improved make-or-buy decisions, and global procurement strategies. The objective is to operate with technological and economic independence and to be future-proof across all addressed markets – from the high-end to the mid-tech segment.

Technological leadership remains Koenig & Bauer's DNA. The company is consistently expanding its offering in the rapidly growing industrial digital printing sector – with the VariJET and RotaJET, among others. At the same time, authentication and quality systems are gaining massive importance: With innovations such as the security systems from Koenig & Bauer Vision & Protection or the digital packaging platform AURAVEO, Koenig & Bauer provides answers to the growing global need for product protection, error prevention, and direct end-customer communication. In doing so, Koenig & Bauer underpins its technological leadership in traditional offset printing through continuous innovations and sets new standards in digital networking and machine intelligence with the AI-based customer portal myKyana.

First-class technology and a clear strategy only achieve their full impact through the people who bring them to life. Behind the strategic direction are the people who define Koenig & Bauer. It is the commitment and expertise of the global workforce that makes it possible to stay on course, even in challenging times. With “I ACT” – which is already literally embedded within “IMPACT” – the six strategic focal points are translated into the decisive actions of every individual.

In this context, “IMPACT” is far more than just a name for Koenig & Bauer – it is a collective mindset. All employees are called upon to ask themselves daily whether their actions are creating exactly the IMPACT that drives Koenig & Bauer and its customers forward. The principle of joint self-efficacy becomes the central driver of success here: when every individual takes responsibility and is convinced that their own actions make a valuable contribution to the whole, a collective strength emerges that sustainably bolsters Koenig & Bauer as a reliable partner and innovation leader in the industry.

In addition to the strategic direction, “IMPACT” sets clear financial guidelines. Dr. Alexander Blum, CFO of Koenig & Bauer, comments: “Profitability is the insurance for our future projects. Our mission is to consistently increase operational excellence. Our benchmark remains medium-term planning. Here, it is important to us to grow and further increase our top line. The levers of our IMPACT strategy apply exactly where we can most strongly maximise efficiency and earning power.”