In a significant shift for the German printing industry, Manroland Sheetfed has announced the permanent closure of its Offenbach operations on 1 June 2026. The decision follows the collapse of intensive rescue efforts and a failed search for new investors after the company filed for insolvency protection in early March 2026. The shutdown marks the conclusion of a long-standing industrial presence in the region, driven by the convergence of severe structural and financial headwinds.
The manufacturer, known for its flagship Roland 700 Evolution range of B1 presses, and Roland 900 and 900 XXL VLF models, has struggled with a sharp decline in demand from China, which was the company’s largest market, contributing to around 40% of its revenue.
Further complicating the business case were external pressures such as the global tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and limited long-term investment by its owner, Langley Holdings, which led to mounting losses of €43.2 million in 2025. Chairman and CEO Anthony Langley states in his review: “The board has concluded that the situation [at Manroland Sheetfed] is unsustainable and is currently considering its options.”
While the company sought to attract new investors since entering protective insolvency on 3 March 2026, interested parties remained focused on acquiring brand rights and distribution assets rather than maintaining local production. The situation hit rock bottom this month when the IG Metall union indicated that no viable continuation scenario remained feasible, leaving a complete shutdown as the only remaining option.
The closure will impact approximately 748 employees. A skeleton crew will be retained temporarily to fulfill final orders and manage a phased wind-down process, which is expected to be finalised by the end of the year.
Despite the end of manufacturing in Offenbach, the industry speculation suggests that the company’s service and spares business may still attract buyers to support the significant global base of installed Manroland presses.
