Koenig and Bauer Durst names MD

Durst and press manufacturer Koenig and Bauer have appointed Robert Stabler as managing director of their new joint venture - Koenig and Bauer Durst - effective 1 August 2019.

Koenig and Bauer Durst was officially established in May to develop and market single-pass digital printing systems for the folding carton and corrugated fiberboard industry. Koenig and Bauer Durst will have its registered office in Wurzburg, Bavaria, Germany, and cooperate closely with both parent companies’ global network. Initially, the joint venture portfolio will comprise the Koenig and Bauer CorruJet 170 and the Durst SPC 130 - including all associated services and the ink business as well as the development of the VariJet 106. Stabler, who grew up in the UK, has global experience in technology companies servicing the graphic arts and document management industries. Before joining Koenig and Bauer Durst, he was senior vice president with Xerox’s Continuous Feed Business, based in the US. Previous executive roles also included HP and Agfa. “I am really excited to take on this new challenge in the folding carton and corrugated packaging markets,” said Stabler. “Both are ripe for digital transformation. We will add all the competencies of Durst and Koenig and Bauer to leverage the best solutions. Durst with its expertise in digital imaging, production systems, inks and software integration, Koenig and Bauer with all its mechanical knowledge, high duty cycle process, engineering, paper transport capabilities plus, of course, the great go-to-market expertise of both teams.” Christoph Gamper, CEO of Durst, said: “We welcome Robert Stabler who has an impressive track record, is an inspirational leader and is accomplished in proactively managing change management as well as having substantial experience in developing new markets. The team we’ll create for the joint venture will supply the necessary solutions in markets where digital production lines offer huge opportunities for the folding carton and corrugated fiberboard industries.”