Finishing equipment manufacturer Plockmatic has acquired UK-based Watkiss Automation, adding additional offline booklet making digital finishing to its product line up.

Five years ago, Swedish owned Plockmatic purchased another UK finishing equipment maker, Morgana. Watkiss produces offline booklet making systems through a worldwide network of dealers, plus a range of selected finishing products through a direct sales team in the UK.

For New Zealand customers, local distributor AGS sees no immediate changes, as it will continue to sell and service the Watkiss range, sold under the PowerSquare brand. Glenn Maynard, managing director, AGS says, “AGS have been distributing and supporting the Watkiss brand here since 2016. These changes will not have any immediate impact for the Australian market and we are looking forward to embracing opportunities that this new arrangement with Plockmatic may bring in the long term.” 

Jan Marstorp, chief executive at Plockmatic, will head the expanded group of companies. He says, “Customers the world over are using Watkiss systems to serve the growing requirement for digitally printed product manuals, promotional materials and customized catalogs often produced around the clock.

“We have built a worldwide supply chain, marketing, sales and service organization unique in the industry, and it’s ready to make these powerful systems available to even more customers.”

Paul Attew, sales director, Watkiss says, “Our team has spent years building a business around our customer’s requirements. We believe Plockmatic is best-positioned to look after our customers and serve new ones. We know the business is in great hands, and Plockmatic has what it takes to grow it to its full potential.”

The Plockmatic Group of companies forms part of Grimaldi Industri Group, a Stockholm-based holding company. Salvatore Grimaldi, owner of Grimaldi, says, “The acquisition of Watkiss demonstrates our commitment to our customers, and to the document finishing business. This significantly expands our offerings and will help our customers deliver more value to their customers. I’m delighted to welcome Watkiss to our group of companies.”

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