New owners of manroland web systems are “extremely optimistic”, booking a “healthy portion” of its 300 Euros sales target in its first two months.

Possehl chief executive Uwe Lüders, who is managing director of the new post-administration web press company, says that while it is too early to forecast final results, “what we’ve experienced so far makes us extremely optimistic.

“We have successfully passed the first milestones and I am confident that we will reach our goals.”

He says he is optimistic of results from DRUPA and beyond, where growth momentum in digital printing and the ‘pressupdate’ programmme will complement core activities.

manroland web services executive vice president for sales, service and marketing Peter Kuisle says about three-quarters of orders from before the insolvency have been reconfirmed.

“Not one single order has been cancelled and I am confident that we will reach an agreement with all customers concerning completion of their presses,” he says.

He says the company has booked orders for 15 newspaper presses and eight commercial webs. Additionally, new orders have come from Fujian Daily in China (Geoman press), and Drukkerij Noordholland in Alkmar, Netherlands, which is is extending its Colorman and Cromoman lines with three eight-couple towers and an upgrade of the PECOM control system. Press components will be delivered this northern autumn.

Kuisle says several other companies, including Canada’s Quebecor Media Group, have signed for press upgrades and service contracts.

A restructured market organisation focussed on web press users includes ‘rapid response’ teams of field specialists with close links to headquarters.

Kuisle says manroland’s share of the web market – traditionally about a third, has been running at 40 per cent for heatset and almost 30 per cent for new newspaper presses since the restructuring.