drupa gives wings to companies

The largest trade fair for printing products and media in the world even exceeded all expectations.

“drupa exceeded all experiences”, says Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, chairman of the management of Messe Düsseldorf. For two weeks, the city was marked by the world’s greatest printing product and paper fair. About 390,000 visitors from 138 countries were informed about innovations and developments of the industry. There were also companies from the region Bergisches Land among the 1971 exhibitors from 52 countries. The IKS Klingelnberg Group with headquarters in Remscheid participated in the drupa for the 8th time.
The Group gained 130 million Euro in the last year. 50 million Euro of the turnover were realized by the business unit Paper. “Our participation in the drupa is obligatory”, says Thomas Huhn, member of the company management. Since 1908, the company has been specializing in the production of machine knives. Eight production sites in the world manufacture knives, machine elements and saws for the wood-, metal- and paper-working industry. “We are in a positive mood”, told Huhn on the last day of the trade fair. “90 % of the visitors of our booth come from foreign countries. For them, this trade fair is an ideal platform for establishing contacts with us, our subsidiaries and partners.” Orders were also placed. “But this is only a secondary effect. We rather intend to inform our customers about innovations and developments.”

Source: Bergische Wirtschaft, Dirk Weber
Picture: Thomas Huhn

19th June, 2008

Impressions from Africa

Inauguration of the Exhibition of Photos of Gabriele Meyer.

From today, fascinating photos of humans, animals and nature can be seen at the premises of IKS Klingelnberg GmbH in Remscheid.
Gabriele Meyer: “In June 2007, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit the project KIUMA, community center for education and development of the missionary organization “wortundtat” in the south of Tanzania, district Tunduru. For more than 10 years, this project has been supporting young people by giving them a good start into a humane life. I have pleasure in showing you a few “Impressions from Africa“ that I received during this trip“.

18th June, 2008

News from Geringswalde

Angelika Hähnel reports on the summer festival of IKS Messerfabrik Geringswalde GmbH on 07/06/2008.

Only about two years ago, the decision on outsourcing of the long knife production to Remscheid, on the conversion and enlargement of the halls in Geringswalde as well as the extension and modernization of the round knife production was made. Meanwhile, many modifications have already been implemented at the Geringswalde site which did not only become apparent from the speeches of the managing directors Thomas Meyer and Michael Zerfass. In particular, the retirees of the site were surprised at the structural alterations as well as the reorganization of the soft machining area which is almost completed. In a slide show, the recent modifications as well as the new machines were presented which have already been ordered and will be commissioned in the course of this year in order to contribute to the maintenance and promotion of the employment at this site.

Beautiful weather, nice food, amusing games and lively conversations for young and old as well as the pleasure about the achievements in the past and the confidence in the future of the site contributed to this successful festival.

17th June, 2008

Hump Day at Drupa

Thomas Huhn, Member of the Executive Board, gives a positive review after the first half of the largest trade fair for printing and paper products in the world and is optimistic about the second half of this important international event of the industry.

"We are highly satisfied with the current results; our expectations have been fulfilled. The number of visitors is extremely high and has even increased compared with 2004 which is also indisputable regarding the quality of contacts."

Up to now, 213.000 visitors from 115 countries have come to see the trade fair - most of the visitors come from abroad.
Thomas Huhn is also pleased with the positive feedback regarding the attractive booths of the group which boost communication.

In hall 11 IKS Klingelnberg Group exhibits its product range for post-printing, hygiene paper and pulp & paper industry and presents novelties in the range of knife qualities. Rolf Meyer GmbH can be found in hall 3 where innovations of the printing and packing industry are presented.

5th June, 2008

Inauguration of New Logistics Hall at Headquarters of IKS Klingelnberg Group

IKS Klingelnberg has grown strongly

The headquarters of IKS Klingelnberg in the industrial park Bergisch Born have grown strongly. IKS Klingelnberg is a global market leader in machine knives - and yesterday the expansion of the company was celebrated with employees, family members and friends of the company.

Last year, IKS Klingelnberg already invested € 5.5 million in new halls for its European logistics center and new machines for the Remscheid site.
Yesterday, Thomas Meyer (CEO) presented this to his guests - and afterwards invited to a
great buffet with background music in the logistics center.
The managing partners of IKS Klingelnberg are Diether Klingelnberg,
Arndt Klingelnberg and Thomas Meyer.

The global sales target for 2008 is € 135 million; for 2009 already € 145 million.
The entire group will contribute to this target - 1060 employees worldwide; 138 in Bergisch Born where there are still vacancies.

Source: Remscheider Generalanzeiger, Saturday 24 May 2008
Picture: Thomas Meyer, Beate Wilding, Diether Klingelnberg

Drupa 2008 – Join us @ the market palce

Just a few weeks and the world's by far most important Print Media Show will open its doors in Duesseldorf.

With 1.800 exhibiors from 50 countries it is the biggest drupa event since ever. This year's drupa is a magnet and a fascinating meeting place attracting international trade visitors from 122 countries of all continents.

Drupa 2008 – performs highest internationality in business and guaranties excellent profit opportunities

Drupa 2008 - is indicating innovative development trends for the next 4 years.

You are highly welcome at our stands.

IKS Klingelnberg GmbH: hall 11, stand D 62
Rolf Meyer GmbH: halle 3, stand C69

Visitor brochure 

29th April, 2008

On Course with Cutting-edge Technology

The Specialist for Industrial Knives and Machine Elements Expands Globally – With a Strong Head in Remscheid/Germany.

The business section of the RGA (newspaper Remscheider General Anzeiger) reports on IKS Klingelnberg

Actually, the figures already speak for themselves: “In 1993 we began with 120 employees”, says Thomas Meyer, managing director of IKS Klingelnberg GmbH. After separation of the mechanical engineering unit (Klingelnberg GmbH in Hückeswagen) from the industrial knives unit, the new site of IKS Klingelnberg GmbH in the industrial park in Bergisch Born was established.

Due to acquisitions and branch offices all over the world, a group of almost 1,100 full-time employees has been created meanwhile – at seven sites in Europe as well as further production sites and sales offices in Asia and America.

More ...

4th April, 2008

Change in Management at BMMS

Mr. Wengenroth (master of business administration) and Mr. Müller (graduate engineer) are the successors of Mr. Döberl (master of engineering)

The turn of the year saw a change in the management of Böhler Miller Messer und Sägen GmbH. After eight years as managing director, graduate engineer Dieter Döberl resigned from his office. His previous substitutes Jörg Wengenroth (master of business administration) and Andreas Peter Müller (graduate engineer) now form the management. Wengenroth is the commercial managing director while Müller is the technical managing director.

More ...

Picture.: Mr. Wengenroth (master of business administration, right) and Mr. Müller (graduate engineer, left) are the successors of Dieter Döberl (master of engineering, middle)

Geringswalde site is focusing on Circular Knife Production

Recently realized capacity extension at Remscheid site (Logistics and Production) is enableing the integration of the Straight Knife Production from Geringswalde. The Circular Knife Production, however, will remain in Geringswalde. The resulting reallocation of the production ressources will effect further improvement of production efficiency of our high quality products.

10th January, 2008

The Trade Magazine "Stahlmarkt" reports in the December Issue about the annual IKS Klingelnberg Symposium

Knife Manufacturer Invited to the 4th Cutting Symposium Conference about slitting of cold rolled strip

Leipzig (mh). The 4th cutting symposium held in October by the manufacturer of machine knives IKS Klingelnberg, headquartered in Remscheid/Germany, was about the economic situation and the technical state regarding the slitting of cold rolled strip. One of the topics was how to respond to future challenges in a modern production department.

Already for the 4th time, IKS Klingelnberg invited to the cutting symposium near its site in Geringswalde/Germany. About 70 participants were informed in a number of talks about the current state of development regarding the slitting of cold rolled strip. In addition to reports about knife materials and precision slitting shears, the introduction of modern production methods of circular blades was on the agenda in Geringswalde.

Flexible response to challenges
The managing director of IKS Messerfabrik Geringswalde GmbH, a subsidiary of the IKS Klingelnberg group, Michael Zerfass, and the production manager of the site in Saxony, Hartmut Grab, both reported on the organization of production and sales, current projects and scheduled investments in Geringswalde. The subsidiary in Saxony manufactures circular blades; altogether 125 employees are working there. "To implement the strategy for growth, we pondered about what the future might be", said Mr. Zerfass. "We aimed at mastering the challenges of the market quickly and flexibly."

more ...

Picture: Dr. Ing. Thomas Klumpen (COO)

18th December, 2007

Trade fairs 2008

We would like to invite you to join us at the following exhibitions in the upcoming year.

On November 20, 2007, Remscheider Generalanzeiger publishes a special edition on the new logistics hall of IKS Klingelnberg GmbH

The hub for Europe

Interview with Thomas Meyer

The headquarters of the IKS Klingelngberg group are located in Remscheid/Germany. Operations at the site in the industrial park in Bergisch Born started in 1993. This summer it was further extended by a new logistics hall. Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Meyer, managing director of IKS Klingelnberg GmbH, talks about the above and the future of the site.

Why has the Remscheid site been extended by the new logistics hall?
Thomas Meyer: This is a really interesting story. We made an analysis of our logistics processes which revealed that capacities needed to be increased. In a survey our employees also confirmed this result.

And then you realised the proposals of your staff ...                                                      
Thomas Meyer: Exactly. The staff members were delighted to be involved in the decision-making process. Their proposal has been realised. It goes without saying that this is also quite good for the morale within the company.

Furthermore, new jobs have been provided. How many employees work at the Remscheid site?
Thomas Meyer: We have 131 staff members. Regarding the new logistics hall there are 24. This number is to be increased to 31 in the following two years.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                      
How important is the hall for the Remscheid site?
Thomas Meyer: A clear separation of production and dispatch department. The hall shall further serve as main hub for Europe. At best the manufactured knives and saws are delivered to the logistics hall by the other IKS Klingelnberg sites, labelled and packed according to the requests of the customer and dispatched quickly. This is a lean and efficient process without long storage times.

The staircase of glass of your administrative building has been used for regular art exhibitions for years. Since September an exhibition of Marcel Patrice Soyer can be seen. You thereby also like to highlight the special relation of art and technology. However, the facade of the new logistics hall is still purely white. . .
Thomas Meyer: But this is going to be changed. First further modifications of the roundabout in front of our site will be realised. As soon as these works will be completed, we want to improve the appearance of the hall. Whether only the large company logo will be modified, remains to be seen. Marcel Patrice Soyer is also interested in contributing to the design.


IKS Klingelnberg - A globally operating company with its head office in Remscheid

Whether the first thing you grip in the morning is the newspaper or another item, the IKS Klingelnberg group has certainly been involved in its production.
The globally operating group of companies with its head office in Remscheid is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of machine knives and saws. Almost all industrial sectors such as paper, wood, metal, plastics and recycling are covered. With its products the IKS Klingelnberg group has become one of the global market leaders meanwhile. With more than 1,000 employees in Europe, North America and the Far East a net consolidated turnover of € 130 m will be attained in 2007.
Specialised production sites can be found in Germany, namely in Remscheid, Geringswalde and Bargteheide. Furthermore, there are two plants each in Austria and Finland. Service and sales offices are in France and the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.
The headquarters of the company are located in Remscheid. This is where the company, which was started in 1814, has its roots. In 1908 the production of machine knives was launched. In 1922 the tool shop in Hückeswagen/Germany became a special machine shop. In the year 1991, the sectors machine engineering (Klingelnberg GmbH) and industrial knives (IKS Klingelnberg) were separated. In 1993 the new knife plant in Bergisch Born with one administrative building was constructed.
In the course of this year the new logistics hall with about 3,200 m² has been completed. Thanks to the relocation of receiving goods, inspection and dispatch department, new capacities have been provided in the existing hall in order to extend the production. Due to these measures the Remscheid site is even more in the focus of attention. In future, the new logistics hall shall serve as main hub for Europe and provide further jobs.

Pictures: Thomas Meyer, the Logistic Team and the new Logistic Hall

21th November, 2007

Record registration results for drupa 2008

19 halls totalling 170,000 square metres of exhibition space

DRUPA 2008 will break all previous records. With some 170,000 square metres of net exhibition space (roughly equivalent to 40 soccer fields) and exhibitor numbers topping 1,800, the print media fair to be staged from 29 May to 11 June 2008 will be the biggest ever in its more than 50-year history. This will entail the use of the Düsseldorf Trade Fair Center’s full capacity, including all new additions. There were already indications of this trend last year, shortly before the official close of registrations on 31 October. Increases to leading international technology suppliers’ space requirements, plus larger-scale joint presentations from Asia in particular were the major factors influencing this result. “The registration figures provide compelling proof that more than substantiates the status of the fair as the world’s No. 1 event for the print and media industry,” asserted Werner M. Dornscheidt, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. “The complete palette of the global market’s offerings and each link in the value chain, from design to the finished printed product, will be showcased in Düsseldorf. Industry leaders and global players will share the floor with small, innovative companies at drupa,” continued Dornscheidt.

See you at DRUPA 2008!

Hall 11 Stand D 62 and
Hall   3 Stand C 69

Sponsorship of Cultural Events by IKS Klingelnberg GmbH

Companies maintain interrelations with their site and thus have a sociopolitical responsibility as “corporate citizens”. In the scope of a limited advertising budget, IKS Klingelnberg GmbH has faced this responsibility for many years by sponsorship of sports, science, culture and art. IKS Klingelnberg hereby intends to highlight its ties with the site. In particular the regional/local commitment in the scope of the cultural sponsorship is perfectly suitable for fostering public relations in the region Bergisches Land. The cultural sponsorship is mainly focused on the promotion of arts in the region. Business and art have a great deal in common: quality and innovation.

For about 6 years, IKS Klingelnberg has exhibited works of painters from the Bergisches Land in its premises in Remscheid, Bergisch Born, at an interval of 6 to 8 months. In this meeting of artists, local artists can present their works and compare notes in a familiar atmosphere. Since February, Jaroslav Stransky has presented his pictures at IKS Klingelnberg; in September, the next artist will present his works.

Sponsorship of arts is thus a well proven communication means of the company in terms of its sociopolitical responsibility in the region as well as the internal and external promotion of the awareness of its brand and cultivation of the corporate image.
Fore more information on the sponsorship of cultural events see Bergische Wirtschaft (German Issue), August, page 24.

IKS Klingelnberg promotes the Initiative Furnier + Natur (Verneer + Nature)

IKS Klingelnberg Group, the leading supplier of machine knives for the veneer industry promotes the Initiative           Furnier + Natur which aims at raising the awareness of the consumers that veneer means genuine wood, distinguishing veneer as high-quality material from wood imitations and establishing it in the market.
In 2003, IFN introduced the veneer label which signifies the genuineness of wood. Wherever you see this label,            you can be sure of furniture featuring a veneer surface, i.e. genuine wood.

IKS Klingelnberg Group supports VDMA Campaign against Piracy

The IKS Klingelnberg Group supports the worldwide VDMA campaign "Pro Original" by speaking for the indispensable need to protect original technologies and raising awareness for this fact in cooperation with the VDMA and its members.

The motto of the campaign is "Choose the Original - Choose Success" and focuses on the advantages of the utilization of original technologies, such as: Quality, innovation, efficiency, experience and safety.

The campaign aims at preventing violation of the copy rights, confirming existing customers in their buying behavior regarding original technologies and convincing new customers to do the same.
The campaign concentrates on a completely positive message. The gist of its messages is communicated by special logos and mottos which are also used by IKS Klingelnberg in an appropriate way.