Administrator closes Manroland AG Plauen site

Manroland AG's Plauen facility has closed after negotiations with potential investors collapsed.

The Plauen facility has been in the hands of insolvency administrator Werner Schneider since the German manufacturer initiated insolvency proceedings in November 2011.

German conglomerate Possehl Group subsequently acquired Manroland’s Augsburg web offset facility, while UK-based Langley Holdings signed a deal to buy the company’s sheetfed operation at Offenbach.

It was understood that Possehl would ultimately acquire the Plauen factory as well.

However, Schneider said that despite extensive efficiency measures that included the sacking of 400 employees, "weeks of negotiations with investors" had proved unsuccessful.

"The decision for the closure has not been easy for anyone involved. The intensive efforts to save Plauen failed ultimately due to the same economic issues that caused the demise of the Manroland Group," he said.

[Related: Manroland businesses agree global cooperation]

Schneider said that over-capacity at the site coupled with a deteriorating economic situation, particularly in the printing industry, had been a key factor in the decision to close the site.

The administrator is now attempting to settle Plauen's existing contracts and reach an agreement on the future of the premises. The 300-strong workforce will be given help to find new jobs.

Meanwhile, Alfred Rothlaender has left his temporary role as head of Manroland Sheetfed Systems at the end of the year.

He came out of retirement in February 2012 to oversee Manroland Sheetfed's transition following its acquisition by Langley Holdings.

Rothlaender said: "My task here is complete. Mr Langley asked me to step in to Manroland for one year following the acquisition which I agreed to do.

"During this period no stone has been left unturned and I am satisfied that the company is now in good shape."

[Related: Ups and downs of Manroland]

This article was based on this article and this article from printweek.com