Amidst its transition from a traditional machine manufacturer to an agile technology provider, Koenig & Bauer has taken its next leap towards becoming a leading digital solutions and software player in the printing and packaging arena. On the 1st of April 2025, the Digital Unit, previously operating under the Group’s umbrella, will be spun off from the holding company. The result will be a wholly owned subsidiary, Koenig & Bauer Kyana GmbH, that will be part of the Special & New Technologies segment.
Sandra Wagner, previously VP of Digitalisation at Koenig & Bauer, has been appointed managing director of Koenig & Bauer Kyana GmbH. The spin-off of the mechanical engineering company’s software innovation hub as an independent entity marks an important milestone in the consistent implementation of the company’s digital strategy.
Koenig & Bauer Kyana GmbH will continue to concentrate on the development of digital business models as well as AI and data-driven solutions throughout the entire life cycle of print products. “We are convinced that this strategic spin-off, combined with the concentration and consolidation of our outstanding expertise in the field of digitalisation, will make a significant contribution to the long-term success of our company,” confirms Dr Andreas Pleßke, CEO of Koenig & Bauer. The spin-off enables the company to meet customer needs in a more targeted manner and to optimally exploit the growth potential in this dynamic market segment.
Customer centricity as the core of the strategy
Based on global megatrends, the Digital Unit was launched in 2022 as part of the consistent implementation of the Group strategy, ‘Exceeding Print’. With the spin-off of the software innovation hub as an independent Business Unit, Koenig & Bauer is underscoring its commitment to providing optimal customer support in the digital age. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do,” emphasises Sandra Wagner, Managing Director of Koenig & Bauer Kyana GmbH. “With Koenig & Bauer Kyana GmbH, we are creating the necessary organisational structure of an agile software company, which enables us to respond even faster and more comprehensively to the needs of our customers.”
The transformation into an independent software company enables the targeted development and expansion of specialised areas such as digital sales, a dedicated onboarding and support team, and sustained customer care through Customer Success Management. Koenig & Bauer is thus strengthening its commitment to support customers at every stage of their digitalisation journey with professional expertise.
Proven expertise in the field of digitalisation
In addition to developing a comprehensive digitalisation strategy for Koenig & Bauer and working with the IT department to build a solid IT and cloud infrastructure, the strong technology partnerships that Koenig & Bauer has forged with experienced technology companies are a key success factor. With their support, the Digital Unit has successfully launched digital products used by customers to optimise their own production processes. The digital product portfolio already includes the following established solutions:
- myKyana: The central portal for the digital product world
- Kyana Assist: The AI-powered chatbot for fast assistance and problem solving
- Kyana Data: The intelligent production data analysis tool
- VisuEnergy X: The energy management system optimised specifically for the print and packaging industry
Connected Packaging and the expansion of AI-based applications
In addition to the products of the Kyana ecosystem, which are specifically tailored to the needs of traditional machine users, the digital product portfolio is being expanded by the Connected Packaging solution presented at drupa 2024. It bridges the gap between analogue packaging and the digital world and offers brand owners completely new ways to interact with their customers. As Artificial Intelligence, data and cloud continue to be important drivers across industries, Koenig & Bauer is continuously investing in the development of innovative business models and products. The existing digital product portfolio of Koenig & Bauer Kyana GmbH is constantly being expanded with further pioneering AI and data-driven applications.
The strategic significance for Koenig & Bauer
The spin-off into Koenig & Bauer Kyana GmbH is the next logical step in the consistent implementation of Koenig & Bauer’s digital strategy. “Digitalisation is a central driver for innovation and progress in our industry,” explains Christian Steinmaßl, who as a member of the Group Management is responsible for various Business Units in the newly created Special & New Technologies segment. “With Koenig & Bauer Kyana GmbH, we are in a position to bundle expertise in the field of digitalisation in a more targeted manner. Growth in this promising market segment will be further driven forward while maintaining close links with the Group strategy.” Koenig & Bauer Kyana GmbH will continue to work closely with the other Business Units of Koenig & Bauer in order to leverage synergies and offer customers a holistic solution. With this shared vision, Koenig & Bauer is playing a key role in actively shaping the future of the printing and packaging industry.
