Heidelberg has completed the transfer of its web offset division, Web Systems, to Goss International for an undisclosed sum. The transaction with Goss includes the business areas Commercial Web, Newspaper Web as well as Finishing Systems for web offset machines in the US. Regionally, Heidelberg is in final discussions with Goss Australasia, and expects this transfer to be completed by the end of August.
The agreement will also see Heidelberg take a 15 per cent share in Goss International.
Heidelberg sales and service capability will represent Goss International with respect to certain products in Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, South Korea and Eastern Europe.
Bob Brown, Goss International CEO, says, "This is an exciting day for Goss International. We believe the Heidelberg Web product portfolio coupled with the finishing equipment lines will be a terrific complement to the existing Goss product range. We enthusiastically welcome all the Heidelberg Web professionals around the world and look forward to continue to build on their tremendous market success. We are also excited about having Heidelberg as a member of our shareholder group.
"We live in rapidly changing times. In the final analysis it is our customer’s success that will determine our future. Focusing on delivering on our commitments to all of our stakeholders is paramount for the future, but in the end it is our customer that must see benefit from the combination.
"We believe the combined product portfolio, global manufacturing infrastructure, team of industry professionals, innovative technology portfolio and the obvious synergy for our wider newspaper and commercial press ranges, give us a strong competitive edge for the future."
The transfer of Heidelberg’s web offset activities to Goss International will affect more than 2000 Heidelberg employees at sites mainly in the US, France and the Netherlands. In fiscal year 2003/2004, Heidelberg’s web offset sales amounted to EUR376m. This corresponds for roughly ten per cent of the of the group’s total sales of EUR3.661bn.
