Dr Hönle AG now has 16 subsidiaries that operate worldwide. The company has now given itself a new structure, which is intended to bring a stronger customer focus in particular. Hönle's orientation and the management team are also new.
In the new corporate structure of Hönle the Individual companies of the Group in an organisation with three business units were merged. This structure is based on the three main business units and their markets: BU Adhesive Systems, BU Disinfection and BU Curing. „Our main motivation for the division into business units is to achieve an even Stronger customer orientation. The combined decades of experience and expertise of the individual companies and their employees create the basis for being able to offer our customers not only first-class products in the future, but also individual solutions for their application processes,“ explains Dr Markus Arendt, the new CEO of Dr Hönle AG since 1 May 2024. In doing so, the company will not only rely on its own extensive knowledge, but will also develop solution concepts in cooperation with long-standing technological partners whenever necessary.
The Hönle Business Unit Curing consists of four units, three of which have been reliable partners to the printing and coating industry for decades. Hönle, Eltosch Grafix and PrintConcept develop, manufacture and distribute Drying and curing systems for a wide range of applications in these areas. GEPA, a company that develops coating solutions for the graphics industry, is comparatively new to the team.
„The internal connection to a business unit results in clear advantages for our customers. Not only are we pooling expertise, but we are also connecting development better and more closely.”
Dr Tim Rüttermann, PhD in physics and Vice President of Hönle BU Curing since February of this year
The result is an even more attractive portfolio for customers to choose from. This includes IR and IR/hot air dryers as well as LED UV and UV curing systems for every printing application: from narrow web to XXL, in the Digital printing, from web to sheet-fed printing, from flexo to gravure and offset printing processes - whether web-shaped or 3D. In addition, BU Curing also offers powder application and powder extraction systems for sheet-fed printing and coating systems for the graphics industry.
„Our aim is to ensure an efficient and reliable printing process for our customers at all times. We can only achieve this if we are there for the customer throughout the entire life cycle of a machine. From the initial consultation, through development and installation, to maintenance.“
Tim Rüttermann
Service in particular will be significantly improved in future as a result of the reorganisation. The Group already offers a global 24-hour service. Service technicians stationed around the world and decentralised spare parts warehouses ensure rapid assistance, which is further supported by immediate help via AR-based remote service. Fair repair and maintenance packages are at least as important.
And there is another advantage of merging the individual companies into business units: the strengthening of innovative power. Dr. Hönle AG has already given top priority to research in the past, together with customers and industry partners such as paint and coatings manufacturers. This joint research and development work is to be intensified in the future.
„The future has already begun here. For example, we are currently working with a start-up company on a new type of dose measurement for printing and coating applications. It is very easy to use and delivers precise results with high repeat accuracy.“
Tim Rüttermann
Another very successful collaboration with great results was the realisation of a LED installation in the web offset area. This has resulted in a significant reduction in energy costs for the customer, the dependence on gas to operate the thermal drying process has been eliminated and the space required for the drying unit in the machine is significantly smaller. „And best of all, the quality of the printed products has improved enormously because LED curing means that there is practically no longer any temperature load on the substrate,“ says Volker Selg, who has also joined the Hönle BU Curing management team as Director Global Sales Coordination & New Business at the beginning of May. With more than 35 years of experience in the field of UV curing in printing processes, Selg is no stranger to this profession.
„I'm looking forward to interesting new tasks,“ emphasises the UV professional. Contrary to what is often predicted, he does not believe that the printing industry has hit rock bottom. Certainly, some areas, in particular commercial printing, are under strong economic pressure due to digital media, although here, too, the LED UV technology interesting options offer.
„But packaging printing in particular, in all its diversity, continues to offer plenty of room for new, exciting applications. Especially in terms of sustainability and energy efficiency. The Curing BU has immense expertise, a unique vertical range of manufacture, including in-house lamp production and LED assembly, and very good contacts with customers and development partners. This is how you can bring innovations to the market.“
Volker Selg
Source: Hönle
