Heidelberg takes full ownership of Gallus

The shareholding manoeuvre sees Ferd. Rüesch AG, a Swiss company controlled by Ferdinand Rüesch, contributing its 70 percent stake in Gallus Holding AG as contribution in kind into Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG against the issue of new Heidelberg shares. After the transaction, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG will hold directly and indirectly 100 percent of the Gallus Holding AG shares.

Ferdinand Rüesch will hold approximately nine percent of the shares of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG and become an ‘anchor shareholder’.

Heidelberg has owned one third of Gallus shares 1999, during which time there has been co-operation both on technology and sales and marketing.

A statement issued by the two companies said: ‘The planned complete takeover of Gallus Holding AG accelerates the development and use of Heidelberg's digital products in the growing labels sector. In September of this year, Heidelberg and Gallus will be unveiling at the Gallus Innovation Days a new digital printing system for the label market that incorporates Fujifilm technology.’

Gallus will continue to operate under its brand name and under its current management, said the statement. ‘Gallus will continue to focus on development, production and sales/service of narrow reel- fed printing presses targeted for the label printer as well as on wide reel-fed printing presses and die-cutting machines for folding carton converters.’