German finishing machinery manufacturer Mathias Bäuerle GmbH (generally known as MB in the UK) said it is seeking new investors following its announcement of insolvency in July. It is now trading in administration.
The Black Forest based company is almost 150 years old and currently specialises in automated inserting and folding machines as well as mailing systems. Its local court in Villingen-Schwenningen has appointed a Stuttgart legal firm as preliminary insolvency administrator.
MB blamed the insolvency on sluggish incoming orders situation during the last few months.It said that before the drupa exhibitipon in May, customers had been reluctant to place orders. However, during and after the show the receipt of orders had stabilised, it said, which it claimed means signs are promising for the economic survival and successful restructuring of the company. It said that a search for a suitable investor has already started and initial talks with interested parties have already taken place.
The UK distributor is Encore Machinery, whose managing director Mike Biggs said: ‘Following MB’s earlier press announcement, I can confirm that the company is very optimistic that they will be able to announce the name of a new investor in the near future. There is a lot of interest but naturally MB wish to appoint somebody who can take the business forward and retain the manufacturing site and existing staff. I personally have had a relationship with MB dating back to the early 1980’s when they were one of the first manufacturers to pioneer the introduction of computer controlled folding machines.’
Contact: www.mb-bauerle.de and www.encoremachinery.co.uk
