Drent Goebel

Source: Manufacturing Digital

Date :5/8/2008 6:38:18 AM

You can’t fail but notice that Drent Goebel is a company on the move. It has made the most of changing market conditions and looks to seize new opportunities. Exec learns more

Written by Ian Armitage and Produced by Alex Hortaridis

Based in Eerbeek in the Netherlands, Drent Goebel B.V has become specialized in the global design and production of web offset printing machines. Originally two separate entities, Drent and Goebel merged in 2001 and have benefited from mutual synergies ever since.

“The merger meant we could combine certain technologies, which has helped us build a strong position in the area of web offset printing,” says Peter Kloppers, Drent Goebel’s operations manager.

Drent Goebel is a true pacesetter. Indeed, the first modularly built shaftless Vision printing press came off the Drent Goebel drawing board, as did the groundbreaking Variable Sleeve Offset Printing (VSOP) technology.

But the company is much more than a successful breeding ground for new technology. “We have to keep pace with our customers, which is challenging as they are very demanding,” says Kloppers. “Of course it is a changing market, so if we focus on just one thing [such as new technology] we’d never keep up. That being said, we have developed several innovative solutions. Litho printing for flexible and board packaging is perhaps the biggest. It has a lot of possibilities – it’s economical and a great solution for a growing number of customers.”

The focus includes much more than lab work and new product innovation. “The packaging market, which is for now our primary focus, is dominated by flexo and rotogravure technologies,” admits Kloppers. “So litho in combination with cheap and fast size variability brings a lot to this market and gives many answers on the need of the key players in this rapid changing environment. It is cheaper, has lower set up costs, faster to market and delivers higher quality. As a result, I see our growth in packaging. We’ve proven the benefit of our machines in this area and customers want more.”

Drent Goebel typically places its technology into flexo and rotogravure environments, which means there is often need to educate. “It is a big challenge putting new machines in environments where they are used to entirely different ways of working,” says Kloppers. “If they are to use this equipment to its optimal level, we need to teach them, because it takes a lot of knowledge to get the most of it. We see our machine as a Ferrari racecar: it performs on an optimal level but only in combination with the right driving skills.”

Drent Goebel is, as a result, aiming to increase the scope of professionalism of its staff. “We want to be in partnership with our existing and future customers. Helping customers goes beyond offering advice and a machine; we share our knowledge and get deeply involved in the customer’s operations,” says Kloppers.

On the move

This enthusiasm is apparent throughout the company. It has made the most of changing market conditions and looks certain to take advantage of new market opportunities.

Indeed, the Drent Goebel name is today known around the world and it is using its power to acquire companies with outstanding market records, to boost its portfolio and broaden its expertise. One such acquisition came in 2005 in the shape of RDP Marathon, which was re-named ‘Drent Goebel North America Inc.’ in January 2006. This strategy is helping it become even better placed in global markets.

In addition, it hopes to support its U.S. customers with the establishment of a central spare part and service center in the Mid West as of Sprng 2008.

“We are growing and growing,” admits Kloppers. The company’s turnover is currently in excess of €100 million and around 350 employees are dedicated to customers throughout the world. So far, Drent Goebel has enjoyed remarkable growth – a trend that looks set to continue.

RDP Marathon based in Montreal, Canada was an extremely significant acquisition for Drent Goebel – it opens up the North American market. The company supplies a series of printing presses which encompass combinations of commonly used printing techniques. Gravure, flexo, waterless and offset printing techniques hold no secrets for this renowned manufacturer, which is known above all for its reliable and durable machine construction.

“We have a strong foothold in America,” says Kloppers. “I see lots of potential in that market. The US market is very perceptive to new technologies and is often quick to adopt – especially if it is quality machinery, which addresses needs of the market. People in the U.S. like to stick their necks out on something, which helps us penetrate in the market and further develop the functionality of our equipment.”

Markets

Drent Goebel focuses on offering hybrid printing technology for three markets - commercial printing, packaging printing and security printing. These markets place highest demands technology and require a high level of machine building skill. “We need knowledge to operate hybrid technology,” says Kloppers.

This has seen Drent Goebel - which outsources almost all manufacturing – in addition to offering increased support to customers, develops a variety of different presses that efficiently serve customers across a wide variety of different markets.

Indeed, with extensive resources and knowledge of the market, Drent Goebel is able respond to any requirements in the best possible way. A widely spread network of trained local service engineers ensures a quick and accurate response.

“We specialize in developing and producing customized web offset printing presses and we supply our presses throughout the world,” says Kloppers.

A bright future

Drent Goebel is concentrated on remaining a highly innovative player in the market of web offset printing. By combining continuous innovation with high quality standards it is able to ensure that customers will be provided with the best printing technology available.

“We realized our reason for existence is as a second machine for somebody,” says Kloppers. “That is why we see huge potential in the litho printing market and in packaging generally. In order to realize that potential, the customer needs to make money with the machine. To make money, it needs to be operating fully and efficiently – there is a lot that goes into that. This is why we are looking more and more at partnering with customers instead of being a machine supplier only.

“The printing industry is a bit behind when it comes to efficiency and getting the most out of equipment,” he continues. “We are working on changing that.”

Kloppers believes that the future of printing lies in shorter run lengths. There is also a strong emphasis on quality and performance. “That’s what customers want. They want the best and most profitable. We’ll have to respond to that and continue to build flexible and dynamic solutions. That is where we see our future.”

Click here to view the corporate brochure on Drent Goebel