19 May 2008 - Heidelberg is all set to take over Hi-Tech Coatings based in the UK and the Netherlands. This will enable it to add the manufacture and sale of high-performance coatings to its portfolio.

Based in Aylesbury in the UK and Zwaag in the Netherlands, Hi-Tech Coatings produces over 1,000 environment-friendly products and formulations for the print media industry, primarily water and UV-based coatings.

Heidelberg has been successfully selling the print coatings of the soon-to-be acquired company for a number of years in the UK, China, and parts of Eastern Europe. Its sales network will in future provide a global platform for Hi-Tech Coatings’ products.  

The operations of Hi-Tech Coatings, founded in 1993, were mostly confined to Britain and Eastern Europe.

The proposed acquisition is being scrutinized by the German anti-trust authority.

Heidelbeg’s products are marketed under the ‘Saphira’ brand and the portfolio covers high-quality consumables suitable for standard print jobs and special applications. These products meet all industry standards on environmental protection. In addition, Heidelberg also offers products of other suppliers under their brand names.   

Towards the end of 2007, Heidelberg took over the sales of consumables supplier Stielund & Taekker in Denmark and Sweden. It is now aiming to become the number one company in the sale of consumables for the print media industry in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Among the consumables it sells are offset litho plates.

Our view
Our own perception is that although the thrust in consumable selling is a world-wide strategy of Heidelberg, it may not be implemented in India anytime soon. This could be for any number of reasons that we are not privy to. However we can imagine that the supply chain and logistics issues of consumables are challenging in the Indian subcontinent.