Marbach – an eventful year. Review of 2017.

Marbach can look back on an eventful year in 2017. The globally active company has not only attracted attention through its numerous innovations, but has also invested heavily in buildings and machinery.

Packaging. Performance. You.
Marketing Manager Tina Dost: "2017 was once again a very exciting year for us. Not only because our development department was very active and worked intensively on new tooling technologies for our customers. For productive processes and beautiful packaging at the POS. But because we have also purchased new machines in the Die-Cutting Technology (Stanzformtechnik) and Tool Manufacturing (Werkzeugbau) departments, enabling us to provide our customers with even better support. In this way we can offer the customer the right solution for every requirement. And deliver the best performance."

New machines
After a KMD85 from Kiefel was installed in the Marbach Technical Center at the end of 2016, the third thermoforming machine for commissioning tools followed: a Gabler M98 Maxx was delivered in July 2017. This offers Marbach numerous possibilities for almost all machine platforms. In the future, even the largest tilting tools can be tested live before delivery to customers and the processes optimized at Marbach. 

At the end of 2016, Marbach Asia Pacific installed a die-cutting machine from BOBST in Malaysia. In the summer of 2017, Marbach Heilbronn received a die-cutter from BRAUSSE. On these machines, Marbach will be able not only to carry out customer and employee trainings, but also to test its own innovations and ideas. And thus increase its speed in development and innovation.

New Training Center
Starting in 2018, the Marbach Training Center will begin by offering a wide range of customer training courses. Employee training has been provided since mid-2017. So, in the future, customers will be able to count on even more know-how from Marbach employees. But they can also educate themselves. Under the motto "Marbach Academy. More knowledge. More skills.” Marbach will offer training courses on the subject of productivity. All training courses will have one thing in common: they will be very practice-oriented. This will not only provide participants with extensive theoretical knowledge, but also a lot of practical know-how, which they will be able to apply immediately in their daily work.

Investments in buildings
Year after year Marbach builds at one of its locations worldwide. In 2017, a new facility was built in Kielce, Poland, as the existing space became too small. A building in Heilbronn was also added to create additional space capacity. In Geyer, too, conversion work was carried out to accommodate the now more than 120 employees and to ensure optimal production.

Worldwide success
With more than 20 subsidiaries, Marbach is well on the road to global success. In 2017, sales development in Europe was at a high level. In addition to the Marbach subsidiaries in Eastern Europe, the relatively young subsidiaries in Malaysia and the USA were particularly strong drivers of growth. This confirms Marbach's successful step-by-step strategy of expanding its business activities internationally. 

Company organization
There was a major change in the Marbach organization in 2017: since 1st January Tool Manufacturing (Werkzeugbau) welcomed a new managing director. Klaus Schwally took over from Hans Masche, who entered well-deserved retirement after 27 years service.

Trade fairs and events
After the Marbach mega trade fair year 2016 with the drupa and the K-fair, things became a bit calmer in 2017.

Under the motto "Innovation Days", Marbach organized an open house together with the company Brausse in s’Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. Marbach Asia Pacific in Malaysia, together with the company BOBST, presented its technologies to the visitors at the "Performance Days". In addition, Marbach took part as an exhibitor at the CCE trade fair in Munich, IADD in Schaumburg (USA), ESU in Luxembourg and FEFCO in Vienna. Marbach was also represented at the Chinaplas in Guangzhou and at the Interplastica in Moscow. 

In addition, Marbach was also present at numerous smaller events such as the Thin Wall Packaging in Chicago, in Cologne and for the second time at the Thin Wall Packaging Asia in Singapore. In Berlin the "Single Serve Capsules Conference", which brought together 250 experts on the subject of coffee capsules, had its premiere. As a leading toolmaker, Marbach was of course also a keynote speaker. 

All in all, a successful event year for Marbach.

Products Die-Cutting Technology (Stanzformtechnik)
As an innovative company, Marbach has once more presented numerous solutions to help increase the performance of its customers in 2017. From digital zone levelling (DZA), which compensates for unevenness in die-cutting machines, to the new blanking technology with the two tools marbablanker and lightblanker, to the efficient setting-up of hot foil stamping with the thinplate system. But also, the new tool package marbaclean for hygienic die-cutting in the food industry and the Marbach pure edge technology for attractive visible edges in corrugated board packaging, all have been met with great interest by customers. With innovations such as nick-breaking for the smooth blanking of very small parts with double knife and the height-adjustable anvil for reduced make-ready times during reverse cutting, Marbach has rounded off its extensive range of solutions for efficient die-cutting of packaging. 

Products Tool Manufacturing (Werkzeugbau)
The developments & innovations presented at the K 2016 have found their way into the production machines of Marbach's customers in 2017. Over 30 MT|easy-speed tools now deliver the highest output rates. The Marbach "Turner" with its innovative and safe-locking technology is a new product idea that has caused a sensation. There has also been great interest in in-mould labelling, this has been recognized as a significant thermoforming technology on the market. More and more tools are being delivered IML-ready and are therefore prepared for many future challenges.

Marbach Automation & Service
Under the name Marbach Automation & Service (MAS), Marbach supplies cutting-die manufacturers with machines and equipment for die-making. The laser systems mlas|compact-1 and mlas|compact-2 and the milling machines of the mgrav series have been very popular. There has also been a high demand for the MDSS storage system.

Marbach Die Supplies
The Marbach Die Supplies (MDS) division was restructured and renamed in 2017. The portfolio was expanded for customers. As one of the large material suppliers in Germany, Marbach is the only supplier capable of testing the materials offered for sale in advance. This is done in its own production facility or on its own die-cutter. Marbach customers benefit from this advantage. And so not only die-makers' needs for materials are being met at Marbach, but increasingly also those of packaging manufacturers.

Tina Dost: "An eventful year 2017 is coming to an end. We look forward to an equally exciting year in 2018, and we extend our thanks to all our business partners."