GOING THE DISTANCE (Diemaker/Diecutter of the Year)

Karl Marbach Jr.'s knack for forging alliances has brought global acclaim for his diecutting/diemaking innovations.

by Kate Tomlinson, Assistant Editor

IF FRIENDSHIPS ARE an indication of success, Karl Marbach Jr. is a very accomplished man. As president of Marbach Co. of Heilbronn, Germany, Marbach may run a tight ship, but an obvious welcoming atmosphere radiates from the building. "I try to maintain a professional level of friendship within [the company]," he says. "I lead by walking."

Those who have visited the Marbach facility can see firsthand where it all started, and how a man who has contributed so much to the steel rule die industry keeps it all running. "When I had the pleasure of visiting Karl's factory three years ago, upon meeting him for the first time, I saw a man who was totally dedicated to this industry and his company," says Dale Kengott, president of Ken Technologies. "His employees were very professional ... and you could see the excitement in their eyes of having the chance to be involved in this great company."

Over the course of more than 50 years, Marbach has built enduring business relationships, forging international alliances in almost every aspect of diecutting and diemaking. For his dedication to furthering the industry, the International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD) and packagePRINTING honor Karl Marbach Jr. as the 2001 IADD Diecutter/Diemaker of the Year.

Pursuing a better business

Marbach Co. was founded in 1923 by Karl Marbach Sr. and two partners as a manufacturer of cutting tools for the shoe industry. A few years later Marbach became the sole owner, and saw steel rule dies as a practical application for cutting similar materials. He soon expanded his target markets, integrating his dies into the printing industry.

Amid World War II, in 1944, Marbach Co.'s building was all but destroyed by Allied forces bombing, and the company retreated to the nearby city of Unterheinriet. Once the war subsided in 1946, operations returned to Heilbronn. "Faced with a postwar-controlled economy," relates Allen Gurka, president of Allen Die Cutting Consultants, "it was an uphill battle working against a shortage of raw material, power cuts, lack of manpower, and transportation problems. Still the Marbach Co. persisted and grew."

After obtaining an engineering degree, Karl Marbach Jr. joined his father's team in 1955, and the company wheels really started to turn. Headquarters were moved to Heilbronn-Böckingen, and within a few years Marbach Co. had acquired the license to Rillma counterplates, created a rotary corrugated die division, and installed Europe's first CO2 laser dieboard cutting machine. In 1977 the company attended its first trade show, DRUPA. During the '80s and '90s, it grew exponentially through acquisitions, and today enjoys international success with facilities located all over the world.

Expanding locations and ideas

With recent innovations such as the mpower®-rule (a bevel-hardened rule with a rounded cutting edge) and the MarbaStrip (a stripper that does not require underpins), Marbach Co. is definitely working on more than just expansion.

"The ability to see what the future of our industry will need seems to be Karl's focus," notes Kengott. "They are the most diversified [diemaking] company in the world today. During my 22 years in this industry, I have traveled quite extensively, visiting many industry giants, but Karl's company has impressed me the most."

Kengott believes Marbach's tremendous research and development in diemaking techniques, diecutting methods, and specialized tooling is considered superior in Europe and abroad. "He has ventured into automation at every level of the diemaking/diecutting process and has done so with tremendous results. From pioneering the first laser in Europe to producing automated equipment for their own in-house dies, Karl has led his company on a path to success that is truly unique," says Kengott.

According to Marbach's son, Peter, who represents the third generation of Marbach Co., the company is currently working on gaining a better market stance. "We are in the process of expanding into far-reaching countries—Russia, Saudi Arabia, and India are already in the works. We hope to continue to grow through franchising," the younger Marbach explains. The company is also perfecting the Marbastrip technology, and a host of other products.

Connecting by communicating

Marbach has not only pioneered diemaking technology, but spread the word about it and made it available for the entire industry's use.

"Karl Marbach has earned this prestigious recognition by being one of the most innovative men in our steel rule die industry," says Ken Holliday, president of both SouthEastern Die and the IADD. "He has dedicated his life to changing the diemaking processes, using innovative equipment and new ideas in production techniques which are now being used all over the world. His products and business acumen are second to none." Holliday believes Marbach is a major force behind changes in the entire concept of steel rule die manufacturing.

"Karl has never lost the ability to find time to meet with anyone," says Kengott. "He still works at the Marbach booth during trade shows and is always willing to spend time talking with anybody. I believe his combination of drive, skill, insight, awareness, and accessibility makes Karl an ideal choice to represent our industry with its greatest honor."

Marbach Company milestones:

1923—Three men start making forged tools for the shoe industry out of a small "factory" in Karl Marbach Sr.'s garage.

1924—Karl Marbach Sr. becomes sole owner of the company. Sees steel rule dies as a practical application for cutting other materials. Purchases a manufacturing site and begins expanding his business to include products for the printing market.

1955—Karl Marbach Jr. joins his father's company.

1957—Father and son form a tool division (Werkzeugbau). Just three years later, the department produces the first thermo-deep-drawing and cutting tool.

1967—Marbach Co. obtains the license to Rillma counterplates.

1968—A rotary die division for the corrugated board industry is created.

1972—The first CO2 laser dieboard cutter is installed.

1978—The NyloPrint Division begins production.

1984—An interest in Arden Dies in Stockport, England, is acquired; Marbach-France is established.

1985—The company separates into Marbach Werkzeugbau (tool) and Marbach Stanzformtechnik (die cutting), and establishes a division in Sempach, Switzerland.

1988—Schimmel in Bunde, Westfalen, Germany, acquired.

1989—Splittdorf in Haan, Rheinland, Germany, acquired.

1990—Lasertek in Istanbul, Turkey, acquired.

1991—Calwart S.A. in Wissous, France, acquired. The company joins Arden Software to enter the CAD software marketing field.

1992—Dreher in Geyer, Sachsen, Germany, acquired. Karl Marbach Jr.'s son, Peter, joins the company ranks.

1994—A second manufacturing site opens in Rouillac, France.

1995—A division in Alexandria, Egypt, opens.

1996—Interest is purchased in Czech partner Graphitid in Prague, Brno, and in the Slovakian Martin.

1997—Marbach Tool divisions in Elkhart, Indiana, and Tarnowskie, Gory, Poland, open.

1998—Marbach Co. celebrates its 75th anniversary.

2000—A sales branch in Beijing, China, opens.