The folding-carton plant of Dutch packaging printer Royal De Vries has ceased production after 152 years of operation. Following the failure to secure a buyer for the business as a whole, German plant remarketing specialist Allaoui has acquired all corporate assets. The machinery is now being offered for sale, including a KBA offset press alongside BOBST and MK Masterwork converting equipment.
Royal De Vries was founded in 1874 as a printing house in Sneek. Over the 20th century, the company grew significantly to become a leading producer of folding cartons for both national and international brands. In recognition of its market position, the company was honoured with the Dutch royal designation in 2016.
In 2021, the firm advanced its operations by installing a seven-colour Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 with double coater, followed by investments in end-of-line automation in 2024. Despite these upgrades, the business was running at a loss by the end of 2024. Turnover dropped from €28.3 million in 2023 to €24.3 million in 2025, with a net loss of €3.1 million.
According to majority shareholder FB Oranjewoud Participaties—which took control in 2018—a 2025 reorganisation led to quality and delivery problems, prompting customers to switch work elsewhere. Although the problems were fixed, revenues failed to recover. Consequently, De Vries filed for bankruptcy on 15 June 2026 and was officially declared bankrupt in Leeuwarden the following day.
Lawyer and curator Christian Geffroy of Dommerholt Advocaten kept the plant running until 31 July to deliver open orders and keep the business intact for potential buyers. While he sought a purchaser for the entire operation and negotiated with several interested parties, no definitive agreement materialised before the deadline. The plant closed, and all 98 employees lost their jobs.
“Intensive efforts were made to arrange a going concern, and it is regrettable that this could not be achieved,” says Geffroy. “Once that outcome could no longer be pursued, the priority became a swift realisation of the assets in the creditors’ interest. Allaoui was able to make a competitive offer for all assets on short notice.”
The equipment up for sale include a 2021 KBA Rapida 106 offset press, a BOBST EXPERTFOLD 110 A2, a BOBST VISIONCUT 106 LER, and various die-cutters, folder-gluers, and packaging automation equipment.
