Press makers Heidelberg and Manroland in merger talks: reports

Neither company has commented on speculation that arose in German financial newsletter the Platow Brief and has been reported across the web.

The reports suggest that German insurance company Allianz, which has a 65% stake in Manroland and a 12% stake in Heidelberg, is keen on the merger.

Last week, Heidelberg revealed incoming orders had dropped 20% to €2.91bn (£2.5bn).

Chief executive Bernhard Schreier told shareholders at the company’s AGM that the past financial year had been “without doubt one of the worst in the more than 150-year history of Heidelberg – if not the worst”.

George Clarke, managing director of Heidelberg UK, told Packaging News sister title PrintWeek that the company “did not comment on market rumours”. Manroland declined to comment on the rumours.

Heidelberg’s shares were this morning valued at €4.87, valuing the company at €380m (£328m).

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