Koenig & Bauer Reports Successful China Print

Koenig & Bauer is reporting positive results following the 11th Beijing International Printing Exhibition (China Print), which took place from May 15-19, 2025. Despite a challenging market environment, the printing press manufacturer significantly surpassed its own expectations and further solidified its leading position in the Chinese market.

Across a stand spanning more than 1,000 square meters, Koenig & Bauer presented a large portion of its extensive product portfolio from the areas of Press, Postpress, and Digitalisation, under the motto “More choices, More agility, More efficiency.”

More than 221,500 international trade visitors used China Print as an information, communication, and inspiration platform to further develop their business concepts. Highlights included live productions on a Rapida 105 with eight printing units and coating equipment, as well as inkjet prints from the VariJET 106 digital folding carton press. Metal and hollow-body printing, as well as web printing (digital and offset), also generated significant interest.

Koenig & Bauer underscores its market leadership in supplying large format sheetfed offset presses to China. The company is also extremely successful in the field of long presses with complex finishing configurations. Furthermore, the continuous growth in packaging production is leading to increased interest in Koenig & Bauer’s state-of-the-art machinery and equipment.

“China Print has been an incredibly important event for Koenig & Bauer for many years. This year, we were once again able to welcome customers from all over the world and successfully showcase our Group’s broad product portfolio. This market is of enormous importance for the future of our industry,” said Dr. Stephen Kimmich, CFO of Koenig & Bauer.

Despite global challenges and a demanding market environment, Koenig & Bauer is pleased with a stable order situation, and thus confident about the 2025 financial year. Numerous intensive sales discussions and new leads also suggest a lively post-exhibition business.

During China Print, orders for a large number of new sheetfed offset presses were received across all formats. The sales agreements underscore customers’ confidence in Koenig & Bauer’s technology.

“My goal is to optimally combine and continuously optimise the strengths of offset and digital printing, thereby offering our customers maximum added value. The needs of our customers are our absolute focus. Optimised user-friendliness, automation, quality, sustainability and efficiency guide our technologies – and with that, we are the reliable partner for the future that customers want,” explained Markus Weiss, CEO of Koenig & Bauer Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems.

Xingtai Shifa Packaging Products opted for a customized Rapida 105 with six printing units and coating equipment. The machine, in a special format of 780 x 1,050 mm, is equipped with FAPC fully automatic plate changers, extensive washing systems, and other automation features.

Qingdao Changtai Packaging ordered a Rapida 164 with six printing units and coating equipment (max. sheet format 1,205 x 1,640 mm). As a modern packaging company, Changtai Packaging offers integrated printing solutions for a variety of solid and corrugated cardboard packaging. “Koenig & Bauer’s market leadership in large-format packaging printing encouraged us to collaborate with them,” said Zhang Kezhu, chairman of Changtai Packaging.