Gallus Acquires BHS

St. Gallen, Switzerland—The Gallus Group, a global supplier of narrow-web printing presses, has acquired BHS Druck- und Veredelungstechnik GmbH (Weiden in der Oberpfalz, Germany). Following Gallus’ initial purchase of a 30 percent stake in BHS in October 2005, the takeover will result in expansion of the folding carton range through mid- and wide-web printing presses and flatbed diecutters. A highly innovative narrow web folding carton reel machine including a flatbed diecutter, unveiled at Drupa 2004, marked the first step towards entry into the folding carton business.

Gallus is to apply the multiprocess expertise developed in the narrow-web printing press business, namely the modular linking of several printing and processing steps on the same platform, to the mid- and wide-web machines of BHS. This will result in a range of solutions for folding carton production that takes place in one machine, thus leading to higher productivity with more refined folding cartons. Printing, refinement and diecutting in one manufacturing process is thus possible.

Gallus will incorporate the folding carton business in a separate business unit based in Weiden, Germany.

BHS is one of the pioneers of stepless drive systems in web printing presses as well as flatbed diecutters for inline solutions. In addition to the folding carton market, the company serves the liquid carton packaging and flexible packaging segments. BHS generates annual sales of EUR 30 million with 120 employees.