W+D and Kocher+Beck Enter Strategic Partnership
OVERLAND PARK, KS—March 28, 2011—W+D North America (W+D) and Kocher+Beck USA (K+B) have reached a long-term distribution, manufacturing and technology agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, which is expected to be fully implemented by May 01, 2011, W+D will become the exclusive distributor of K+B flexible dies and magnetic cylinders for the United States and Canada, assuming all sales and technical support responsibility for existing K+B and W+D customers. K+B will also manufacture flexible dies exclusively for W+D in the North American envelope segment.
“W+D and K+B share the commitment to the highest quality and performance of our products, and we are very impressed with the flex die manufacturing footprint and capability K+B has in North America,” notes W+D North America vice president, customer operations Randall Gossage. “In partnering with K+B, they bring tremendous technology and flex die manufacturing horse power, which will now enable W+D to accelerate plans to expand our hard tooling and gummer manufacturing platforms and to offer envelope manufacturers one-stop shopping with unmatched value.”
K+B executive vice president Frank Hasselberg added, “Both W+D and K+B have great respect for each other. We were looking for a partner that would help us to add value to our existing customers and continue to grow our flex die business in the envelope segment. The strength of the W+D brand, their technology, and know-how, as well as their focused commitment to envelope manufacturers will make them an excellent distribution and technology partner, and we are confident our combined customers will be even better served.”
About Kocher+Beck
Since the beginning of the new millennium, Kocher+Beck have been a leading manufacturer and distributor of flexible dies in the US marketplace. Their new production facility in Lenexa, Kansas is equipped with state-of-the-art and technical high-grade machines for the exclusive manufacturing of flexible dies. And their central geographic location enables quick and efficient service to a growing customer base enveloping both US coasts, as well as Central and South America.
The Kocher+Beck team in Kansas comprises more than 45 well-trained staffers and is supported by K+B production facilities worldwide to meet the growing quality demands of customers around the globe. With a focus on details, Kocher+Beck USA delivers world-class performance in Quality, Service and Customer Relationships. In addition to the Lenexa, Kansas location, K+B manufactures high quality tools for various converting and printing applications at 5 manufacturing facilities in Atlanta, Georgia, Russia, the U.K., and the company’s headquarters in Germany. For more information, go to www.kocher-beck.com.
About Winkler+Dünnebier AG
Winkler+Dünnebier (W+D) is the world's leading technology and system solution partner for machines and production systems for the manufacture, inserting and packaging of envelopes, as well as for tissue fold and hygiene products. In addition, W+D offers transport and palletizing systems for the paper, tissue and food industries via its subsidiary W+D-Langhammer. Thanks to its innovative and tailor-made system solutions and services, W+D focuses on the entire internal value chain of its customers. The company, which was founded in 1913, has manufacturing facilities in Germany, the USA, China and Malaysia, and also operates a global sales and service network. Winkler+Dünnebier is part of Körber PaperLink, an international supplier of system solutions for the paper and tissue converting industries. For more information, go to www.w-d.de
Source: company release.
