L&NW: How has Kocher+Beck emphasized its operations in the Americas?

DM: Kocher+Beck has significantly emphasized its operations in the Americas through several key strategic initiatives and investments. In 2016, Kocher+Beck USA doubled the size of its Lenexa, KS, production facility. This expansion was specifically aimed at meeting the growing demand in both the North and South American markets by providing additional space to allow continued investment in the latest state of the art equipment.

L&NW: What are some of the newest requests and feedback you’re receiving from customers in this region?

A quick response time coupled with fast turnaround times has and continues to play a significant role in meeting customers’ growing needs. This doesn’t just apply to digital or hybrid printers, but something we see as a requirement for all sectors of the printing industry. Such investments have also been made within our customer service department, as well as an in-house system to track product production live. This allows us to react quickly to inquiries and provide enhanced communication with customers.

L&NW: Overall, how has Kocher+Beck grown in recent years?

DM: From our inception in Germany, Kocher+Beck has grown into an international corporation with production sites in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Most notably, in October 2023, we opened a new state-of-the-art production plant in Świebodzin, Poland, further enhancing our production capacity.

Today the Kocher + Beck group currently employs approximately 600 people worldwide. In addition, Kocher + Beck has engaged in multiple strategic partnerships, such as those that we enjoy with multiple press manufacturers, to deliver market-leading solutions emphasizing on being not just a manufacturer but a “complete solutions provider.”

This focus provides a deeper engagement with customer needs, offering customized solutions, technical support, training, and servicing for our products across various industries, including automotive, pharmaceutical, and packaging.

L&NW: How has the company prioritized customer service and collaboration in helping grow their customers’ businesses?

DM: Kocher + Beck offers extensive service support for its customers and their technical needs, including installation of units and tools, and on-site commissioning of our products. Our experienced service team provides guidance, advice, inspection, and repair services for our products. We also offer on-site training, technical support, annual magnetic cylinder audits, and calibration for systems like the GapMaster adjustable anvil system.

Additionally, Kocher + Beck has committed and strengthened its Technical Sales Team with industry recognized professionals, to further enhance customer service, support, and interaction. Our team brings over 200 years of combined experience and expertise in converting and diecutting, allowing us to be a complete solutions provider.

Kocher+Beck also actively participates in industry discussions and events, and our sales meetings focus on industry trends, customer service, support, challenges and conclude with an industry leading keynote speaker in order to gain better understanding of our customers and the industry’s vision and needs.

L&NW: What are some of the newest products that Kocher + Beck has unveiled?

DM: Some of our latest products include:

• GapMaster EM: This is a significant addition to the GapMaster range. The key feature of the EM version is the replacement of the mechanical adjustment handle with an electrical drive unit, providing digital technology with maximum precision. This allows for adjustment steps as small as 0.25µm to 10µm through the HMI, offering enhanced control and accuracy. It’s also fully compatible as a retrofit with previously installed GapMaster models.

• GLUEX Coating (New Generation): Kocher+Beck has presented new generations of our GLUEX Coating for flexible dies. These newly developed surface structures are designed to provide significantly improved non-stick results, minimizing adhesive residue on cutting edges and the die surface. This leads to longer cleaning intervals and reduced machine downtime.
• Ongoing Advancements in Flexible Dies: While not a “new product,” Kocher+Beck continuously refines its flexible die technologies, including:
  • AI UNIVERSAL: Our highly durable flexible die, for exceptional cutting of all standard materials. Kiss and through-cutting, for both digital, rotary or flatbed production and can be combined with creasing, perforations, and micro perforations.
  • 3L Laser LONG LIFE: Utilizing laser hardening technology to achieve higher hardness levels (58-62 HRC) for a longer service life especially when cutting abrasive materials.
  • CHROME 24: Our chrome coated die with a 70 HRC hardness is perfect for large runs with abrasive papers including thermal and direct thermal as well as white ink overlays. Recent successes have shown increased die life resulting in dies running into the millions.