Strategic Acquisition of CPS Canadian Primoflex Systems Establishes Global Leadership of KOMORI CHAMBON in End-to-End Converting Technologies

Komori Corporation (Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Representative Director, President and CEO: Satoshi Mochida) has announced that Komori Chambon S.A.S. (“KCM”), subsidiary in France, has completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of CPS Canadian Primoflex Systems Inc (“CPS”).

CPS is a leading innovator in flexographic printing press technology, headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

Thanks to its expertise in flexographic printing systems, CPS serves diverse industries including paperboard packaging, lottery tickets printing and pharmaceuticals.

CPS’s well-established position will strengthen KCM presence in North American while expanding its global technological capabilities.

“This acquisition represents a transformation in the converting industry,” said Laurent Bince, CEO of KCM. “By bringing together KCM’s established excellence in web-fed offset and gravure printing with CPS’s advanced flexographic technology, we’re creating unprecedented value for our customers. Our ability to serve every aspect of paperboard converting needs, including printing, cutting, tooling, and delivery, set us apart globally and in North America.”

“Joining KCM opens exciting new possibilities for our customers and employees,” said Mark Friedrich, former owner and now COO of CPS. “Our long-time customers will have access to unprecedented resources and support through KCM, and its customers will have access to our advanced flexographic printing equipment.”

This strategic move represents KCM’s second North American acquisition in 2024, after Bernal. LLC, a world leader in the manufacture of rotary die tools. It establishes KCM as the world’s only comprehensive solution provider for paperboard converting operations.

“This strategic combination advances Komori Corporation’s global leadership in printing and converting solutions,” said Eiji Kajita, Global Head of Packaging Solutions of Komori Corporation. “Komori Corporation has a robust vision to enhance its commitment in the packaging industry worldwide, and especially in North America. This acquisition is totally in line with our strategy and will help us achieve our goal.”

The acquisition positions KCM to capitalize on the rapidly expanding paperboard packaging market, driven by increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions. The combined company will serve diverse sectors including:

– Paperboard packaging

– Liquid packaging

– Tobacco packaging

– Pharmaceuticals

– Specialty applications including lottery tickets and security printing

Transaction Details

– KCM acquired 100% of CPS stocks

– Closing date of the transaction: 17th of January 2025

– Following the transaction, CPS will be rebranded as Komori Primoflex Systems (KPS)

 

About CPS

Canadian Primoflex Systems, located in Cambridge, Ontario (Canada) is a world leader in advanced flexographic printing solutions with installation in Asia, Europe, and North America. CPS has served diverse industries including paperboard packaging, lottery ticket printing, pharmaceuticals, and commercial printing.

About Komori Chambon Group

Komori Chambon Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Komori Corporation (NKE: 6349.T), headquartered in Orléans (France) is a group of industrial and printing solutions companies operating globally.

Komori Chambon Group’s companies are leader in printing machines, converting machines and rotary die cutting solutions. Their customers include leading players in Packaging, Consumer goods, Pharmaceuticals and Tobacco.

Communication contact

marlene.assimon@komori-chambon.fr

www.komori-chambon.com

Corporate Aspirations for 2025

As we welcome the new year, I would like to extend my heartfelt greetings for the season. I deeply appreciate your support throughout the past year and sincerely wish you health and success in the year ahead.

Reflecting on 2024, amidst global economic fluctuations and technological advancements, Komori faced numerous challenges and realized significant accomplishments. In the printing industry, digital printing and sustainability continued to gain importance, as evidenced by the drupa 2024 international graphic arts show. Under the theme Connected Automation, Komori proposed automation and labor-saving systems, introducing the Lithrone GX/G advance EX Edition offset printing press and the J-throne 29 digital printing press that both garnered considerable attention.

Last year, we marked the 101st year since our founding as the First Year of Our Rebirth and launched a new medium-term management plan. We are committed to transforming our business and strengthening our management to achieve a sustainable corporate structure.

In our core business of offset printing, the development of environmentally conscious printing machines remains a key priority. In October of 2024, we renewed the Komori Graphic Technology Center (KGC) to embody our vision of a smart factory. We aim to enhance the efficiency of systems and automation equipment and, in collaboration with our alliance partners, contribute to the development of the printing industry as an open innovation hub that improves the overall productivity of our customers’ factories.

In the digital printing business, we are leveraging the technologies cultivated in the offset printing business to refine inkjet printing technologies and advance the mass production of the new J-throne 29 digital printing press. Additionally, we are promoting sales of the Impremia NS40, striving to create a market in the B1-size segment.

In the securities printing business, demand for currency printing is increasing alongside economic expansion in emerging countries, and the market for banknote printing machines remains stable. By offering specialized machines, we aim to acquire new customers, expand our market share, and pursue new security technologies to deliver safety, security, and trust.

In the Printed Electronics (PE) business, enhanced functionality in electronic substrates as well as decarbonization and automation of manufacturing processes continue to be in demand. We are advancing the development of technologies for fine-line printing and thin-film coating to reduce the environmental impact and improve productivity.

Komori’s corporate philosophy is the realization of Kando ‘beyond expectations.’ While navigating changes in the times and valuing the spirit of constant innovation, we will develop new technologies and products and provide prompt services. This year as well, we will strive toward transformation and challenge as one unified team. We kindly ask for your continued guidance and support throughout the year.

Opening of Third Renewal of KGC Realization of Virtual Smart Factory for Printing Plants with KP-Connect Alliance Program

Komori Corporation (Sumida-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Satoshi Mochida) is pleased to announce the completion of the third renewal of the Komori Graphic Technology Center (KGC) in the Tsukuba Plant in October 2024, and the start of operations as a virtual smart factory for printing plants (KGC Smart Factory).

KGC Smart Factory reopens after renovation

The printing industry is facing diversifying needs, including small lots and short delivery times as well as increasing material and energy costs and challenges in securing human resources. In this environment, flexible responses and changes are required to ensure stable profitability and contribute to a sustainable society.

Komori believes that promoting the smart factory, which improves not only the productivity of individual machines but also the overall productivity of printing plants, is key to transforming the industry.

Defining Komori’s purpose as Delivering Kando “beyond expectations” by contributing to society with print technology, in October 2024 Komori completed the third renewal of KGC, which is responsible for research and development, demonstrations, and education on print technology, and opened the KGC Smart Factory as a virtual smart factory for printing plants.

The KGC Smart Factory is equipped with a central control room that tracks the progress of all printing processes in real time on multiple large monitors. Komori’s Manufacturing Execution System (MES) KP-Connect Pro enables scheduling and real-time collection of progress information across all processes, allowing factory managers to centrally monitor and issue instructions for the entire plant from the central control room.

In addition to visualization via the central control room, KGC promotes the automation of the entire print workflow within the factory. Connected Automation, Komori’s smart factory concept, uses KP-Connect Pro as the core software to automatically link all printing workflows, from scheduling, prepress, press (offset and digital printing), postpress, color management, quality inspection to in-house logistics. A smart factory that covers all processes cannot be built by Komori alone, but requires collaboration with partner companies in each stage. In 2016, the KP-Connect Alliance Program was launched with key manufacturers and vendors. With this KGC renewal, visitors can see the achievements of Connected Automation developed in cooperation with alliance program member companies.