Stefan Schülling · Managing Director · MBO Post Press Solutions · PRINTING United 2025

At Printing United in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH speaks with Stefan Schülling, Managing Director of MBO Group in Germany, about the company’s international position, market outlook, and the strong energy at this year’s exhibition. With more than 830 exhibitors and record-breaking visitor numbers, Schülling describes the atmosphere as vibrant and encouraging — far busier than many recent European trade shows. He emphasizes that the return of large crowds is a positive sign for the entire industry, especially for companies like MBO that invest heavily in both technology and presence at major global events. Schülling explains that while MBO operates worldwide, the American market has always been especially important. The company established a direct organization in the United States early on and continues to see strong demand there. However, he stresses that MBO’s strategy remains global, with each region playing a vital role in the company’s success. He acknowledges that current economic conditions vary by region — with challenges in Asia, emerging markets, and the effects of tariffs and currency shifts — but remains confident in MBO’s ability to navigate these factors and continue growing internationally. When comparing markets, Schülling notes that MBO is perceived somewhat differently across regions. In Europe and most other parts of the world, the company is still best known for its high-performance folding machines — a core technology that built its reputation. In the United States, however, MBO has become increasingly recognized for its continuous inkjet and postpress finishing solutions. This shift, he explains, is the result of both stronger digital print adoption in North America and MBO America’s successful focus on modular, inline finishing systems that integrate seamlessly with high-speed digital presses. Looking ahead, Schülling sees significant potential to expand these same technologies in Europe. While acknowledging that competition remains strong, he believes MBO’s innovation pipeline and upcoming product introductions will strengthen its position. Technologies already proven in the U.S. market — particularly in digital finishing and automation — will soon be made available to European customers as well, creating new opportunities for growth. As the discussion concludes, Stefan Schülling expresses optimism about the future, saying that while the industry continues to evolve, MBO’s commitment to innovation and adaptability remains unchanged. “Being pessimistic is not the right attitude,” he says. “Opportunities are always there — we just have to look for them.”

Jannik Müller · Head of Sales · MBO · Reporting from Drupa 2024

Stefan Schülling · Managing Director · MBO · Reporting from Drupa 2024

Bodo Tegtmeier · MBO · Reporting from the Drupa show floor

It's always interesting to learn from Bodo Tegtmeier. Here, we hear about the new version of the highly popular Cobostack and the new folder K8i—super interesting!

Why Robots in the graphics arts industry · Thomas Heininger & Henrik Christiansen