Kama GmbH has increased sales for the third year in a row and closed the financial year 2017/18 with a sales record of €15.6 million. After a growth of 13% in the previous year, the German machine manufacturer achieved another growth of 6%.
“Overall, we have achieved a good result and the target of 15% EBITDA is within reach – for mechanical engineering, a value that is truly in the upper range”, says Marcus Tralau, CEO. The manufacturer achieves about 80% of sales with its core business — versatile die-cutters as well as folder gluers for commercial printing and folding carton production. This is complemented by the revenues from the production of hot foil systems for labels.
CEO of Kama GmbH, Marcus Tralau.
The increased demand from Asia and Europe has particularly contributed to the growth. Around one quarter of the machine revenues were generated in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Australia. The European markets contributed 38%, with a strong increase in Eastern European countries. After Kama took over the domestic distribution in Germany, the business has almost doubled to a share of around 20%. The sales only declined slightly in the USA after a successful year in 2016/17.
The second sales driver is the new folder gluer for short-run folding cartons, FF 52i, presented at drupa 2016. The fully automatic folder gluer, which enables extremely rapid job changes, was placed on the market just at the right time for the trend towards short packaging runs, versioning and digitally printed folding cartons. The innovative solution, with patented folding and gluing line and inspection, is successfully used by folding box manufacturers in Germany, the USA and Italy.
“The focus on solutions for short runs and also for the booming digital printing has proven to be a success,” says Tralau. “We focus on innovation and have exciting projects in the pipeline.”
