Muller Martini

Muller Martini is a Swiss industrial brand specializing in print-finishing and book-production equipment. Headquartered operationally in Zofingen, with its holding company based in Hergiswil, the group develops, manufactures, sells, and services systems used after printing, including saddle stitchers, perfect binders, hardcover and case-binding equipment, newspaper and magazine inserting systems, mailroom automation, conveyors, packaging lines, and finishing solutions for digitally produced books. It is a business-to-business supplier whose customers include commercial printers, book manufacturers, newspaper and magazine producers, direct-mail operators, and other graphic-arts companies. The company's origins date to 1946, when Hans Müller began producing bookbinding machinery under the name Grapha Maschinenfabrik. Its early products included a hand-fed saddle stitcher. The company later developed the automatic “Swiss Girl” feeder and demonstrated a fully automatic saddle stitcher with an in-line trimmer at the Drupa trade fair in 1954. In 1955, the business was incorporated as Grapha Maschinenfabrik Hans Müller A. G. and began selling equipment in the United States. Its product range expanded during the following decade, including newspaper and magazine inserting machines, which entered large-scale production in 1961. The Muller Martini identity emerged after Martini joined the Muller organization in 1969. Martini had a much older engineering history: Friedrich von Martini founded the original enterprise in the nineteenth century, and the company had produced folding and stitching machinery as well as book-sewing equipment. Martini's book-sewing machine, introduced in 1897, became an important part of its historical connection to book production. After ending automobile production in 1934, Martini concentrated on bookbinding equipment and subsequently developed adhesive-binding machinery. Muller Martini broadened beyond traditional bindery equipment in the 1970s. It developed an offset web press for business forms in 1972 and expanded its North American presence through sales, service, and manufacturing operations. Its United States manufacturing facility in Newport News, Virginia, was established in 1973 for bindery and mailroom equipment and was subsequently expanded for manufacturing, assembly, engineering, and product development. The group also added businesses and technologies in newspaper inserting, press finishing, conveyors, packaging, case binding, and related automation through acquisitions and organizational integrations. A significant strategic shift began in 2004 with the creation of the On Demand Solutions business segment, later renamed Digital Solutions. This division addressed the growing need to finish digitally printed books and other short-run products. The company continued to update its product platforms, including the Laserblue generation introduced in 2008. In 2014, Muller Martini announced that it would discontinue production of printing presses, indicating a stronger concentration on post-press and print-finishing activities. It also assumed service responsibility for Heidelberg saddle stitchers and perfect binders. The group subsequently continued to reshape its manufacturing and portfolio. It acquired the bookbinding division separated from Kolbus in 2018, transferred the MM Druckmaschinen business to the Goebel Group in 2020, integrated Muller Martini Electronic AG into Muller Martini Druckverarbeitungs-Systeme AG in the same year, and closed its Bad Mergentheim site in Germany in 2021. In 2023, it took over Hunkeler AG, a Swiss specialist associated with paper-processing and finishing technology. Muller Martini remains an internationally active, family-controlled supplier focused on automation, industrial book production, digital print finishing, and integrated post-press workflows.

Muller Martini traces its modern history to Hans Müller's 1946 bookbinding-machinery business, founded under the name Grapha Maschinenfabrik. The first machine was a hand-fed saddle stitcher. Subsequent development produced the “Swiss Girl” automatic feeder, which could be disengaged and tilted away when not required, and a fully automatic saddle stitcher with an in-line trimmer. The latter was exhibited at Drupa in 1954, while the company was also developing perfect-binding technology. In 1955, the business became Grapha Maschinenfabrik Hans Müller A. G. and sold its first machine in the United States. Its range grew to include inserting equipment, and large-scale production of newspaper and magazine inserting machines began in 1961. International expansion followed through overseas manufacturing, sales, and service operations. Hans Muller Corp., the United States subsidiary, was established in 1967. Martini joined the Muller organization in 1969, providing the combined group with a second engineering tradition in folding, stitching, book sewing, and binding equipment. Martini's roots reached back to Friedrich von Martini's nineteenth-century enterprise. It had introduced a book-sewing machine in 1897 and had also briefly manufactured automobiles. Automobile production ended in 1934, after which the company focused on bookbinding machinery. Martini developed adhesive-binding equipment in 1941. The combination of Muller and Martini expertise created a broad platform for industrial finishing and book production. During the 1970s, Muller Martini expanded into web-press and mailroom-related equipment. Its first offset web press for business forms appeared in 1972. The United States organization moved its offices to Hauppauge, Long Island, in 1973, changed its name to Muller Martini Corp., and established a Newport News, Virginia, manufacturing facility for bindery and mailroom equipment. The Newport News operation was expanded over time to support automated manufacturing, assembly, engineering, and new-product development. The group added further capabilities in the late twentieth century. Daverio in Switzerland and KJ in Denmark became part of Muller Martini in 1989, bringing expertise in newspaper inserting, press finishing, bindery systems, conveyors, and packaging lines. GMA, an Allentown, Pennsylvania, supplier of newspaper mailroom systems, was acquired in 1992 and renamed Muller Martini Mailroom Systems. In 1998, Muller Martini took over manufacture of the VBF case-binding product line. Production moved to Bad Mergentheim, Germany, and the business became Muller Martini Book Technology GmbH in 2007. Leadership passed from Hans Müller Sr. to his son Rudolf Müller in 1991. In 2004, the company created an On Demand Solutions segment, later called Digital Solutions, to provide commercial-quality finishing for digitally produced books. A new generation of machines in the Laserblue platform was introduced in 2008. In 2009, Rudolf Müller became chairman of the board and Bruno Müller became CEO. Founder Hans Müller died in 2013 at the age of 96. The company responded to structural changes in the graphic-arts industry through a major reorganization announced in 2013 and the closure of the Felben site. In 2014, it announced the end of printing-press production and assumed service responsibility for selected Heidelberg saddle stitchers and perfect binders. The group then pursued portfolio changes: it acquired the separated Kolbus bookbinding division in 2018, sold MM Druckmaschinen GmbH to the Goebel Group in 2020, integrated Muller Martini Electronic AG, and closed the Bad Mergentheim site in 2021. In 2023, it took over Hunkeler AG in Wikon. The contemporary group remains focused on automated print finishing, bookbinding, digital book production, and related workflow systems, with production facilities in Switzerland and Germany and an international sales and service presence.

1. 2023Hunkeler AG acquired

   Muller Martini takes over Hunkeler AG in Wikon, Switzerland.

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2. 2021Bad Mergentheim site closed

   The German Bad Mergentheim location is closed.

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3. 2020Portfolio and organizational changes

   MM Druckmaschinen GmbH is sold to the Goebel Group, while Muller Martini Electronic AG is taken over by Muller Martini Druckverarbeitungs-Systeme AG.

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4. 2018Kolbus bookbinding division acquired

   Muller Martini acquires the bookbinding division separated from Kolbus and associated personnel at Rahden.

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5. 2014Printing-press production discontinued

   The company announces that it will discontinue production of printing presses and take over service responsibility for selected Heidelberg equipment.

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6. 2013Founder dies and corporate reform announced

   Hans Müller dies at age 96, while the group announces a restructuring program and the closure of its Felben site.

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7. 2009Leadership transition

   Rudolf Müller becomes chairman of the board and Bruno Müller becomes CEO.

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8. 2008Laserblue machine generation introduced

   Muller Martini introduces a new machine generation associated with the Laserblue platform.

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9. 2004On Demand Solutions segment founded

   The company creates a business segment for finishing digitally produced books; it is later renamed Digital Solutions.

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10. 1998VBF case-binding line taken over

    Muller Martini takes over manufacture of the VBF case-binding product line for hardcover book production.

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11. 1992GMA acquired

    Muller Martini acquires the U.S. newspaper-mailroom supplier GMA and renames it Muller Martini Mailroom Systems.

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12. 1989Daverio and KJ join the group

    Daverio in Switzerland and KJ in Denmark become part of Muller Martini.

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13. 1973U.S. manufacturing and service organization expanded

    The U.S. business relocates offices to Hauppauge, becomes Muller Martini Corp., and begins manufacturing bindery and mailroom equipment in Newport News, Virginia.

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14. 1972First offset web press developed

    Muller Martini develops an offset web press for business forms.

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15. 1969Martini joins the Muller organization

    Martini becomes part of the Muller organization, combining two established equipment-making traditions.

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16. 1967U.S. subsidiary established

    Hans Muller Corp. is established in the United States.

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17. 1961Large-scale inserting-machine production begins

    The business begins large-scale production of newspaper and magazine inserting machines.

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18. 1955Business incorporated and first U.S. sale made

    The company becomes Grapha Maschinenfabrik Hans Müller A. G. and sells its first machine in the United States.

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19. 1954First fully automatic saddle stitcher demonstrated

    Grapha exhibits a fully automatic saddle stitcher with an in-line trimmer at Drupa.

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20. 1946Hans Müller begins producing bookbinding machinery

    Hans Müller establishes the business that becomes Muller Martini under the name Grapha Maschinenfabrik.

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An integrated, engineering-led supplier of automated print-finishing and book-production systems, with particular emphasis on industrial book manufacturing, post-press workflow integration, and finishing for digital production.

• Saddle StitchingPrint finishing1946

  Muller Martini's saddle-stitching systems assemble folded printed sections and secure them with wire stitching before trimming. The category reflects the company's earliest core technology, which developed from hand-fed machinery into automated systems with feeders, gathering, stitching, three-knife trimming, and integrated production controls. These systems are used for magazines, catalogs, brochures, and other multi-section products.

• Softcover ProductionBookbinding

  Softcover production systems support the industrial manufacture of paperback books and other adhesive-bound products. Typical process stages include gathering printed sections or book blocks, spine preparation, adhesive application, cover feeding, pressing, and trimming. Muller Martini developed this area alongside its broader perfect-binding and digital-finishing portfolio for commercial and book-production customers.

• Hardcover ProductionBookbinding1998

  Hardcover production equipment covers industrial processes for case-bound books, including book-block preparation, casing-in, pressing, and related finishing operations. The portfolio was strengthened by the takeover of the VBF case-binding line in 1998 and the later acquisition of the Kolbus bookbinding division in 2018. These capabilities serve publishers, book manufacturers, and specialist binders producing durable hardcover volumes.

• Digital SolutionsDigital print finishing2004

  Digital Solutions originated as the On Demand Solutions segment founded in 2004. It was created to provide commercial-quality finishing for digitally produced books and other short-run products. The business addresses variable production volumes and the need to connect digital presses with automated gathering, binding, trimming, and downstream handling systems.

• Newspaper and Magazine Inserting SystemsInserting and mailroom equipment1961

  These systems insert supplements, sections, and promotional materials into newspapers and magazines. Muller Martini entered large-scale production of newspaper and magazine inserting machines in 1961 and later expanded into complete mailroom systems incorporating conveyors, packaging, and automated production lines. The equipment is intended for high-volume publishing and distribution environments.

• Web PressesPrinting equipment1972

  Muller Martini developed an offset web press for business forms in 1972 and subsequently manufactured web presses for direct-mail, promotional-graphics, and commercial applications. The company announced in 2014 that it would discontinue printing-press production, making this a historical rather than a continuing core product category.

• 2023Takeover of Hunkeler AGM&A

  Hunkeler AG was a Swiss company active in paper-processing and related print-production technology.

  What changed. Muller Martini took over Hunkeler AG in Wikon, Switzerland.

  Aftermath. The transaction broadened the group's capabilities in paper handling and print-finishing workflows.

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• 2020Sell MM Druckmaschinen and integrate Electronic AGM&A

  The group continued to adjust its operating structure and portfolio.

  What changed. Muller Martini sold MM Druckmaschinen GmbH to the Goebel Group and transferred Muller Martini Electronic AG into Muller Martini Druckverarbeitungs-Systeme AG.

  Aftermath. The measures simplified parts of the portfolio while consolidating electronic and systems activities.

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• 2018Acquisition of the Kolbus bookbinding divisionM&A

  Kolbus had separated its bookbinding division from the wider business.

  What changed. Muller Martini took over the division and approximately 250 employees associated with the main Kolbus plant in Rahden, Germany.

  Aftermath. The transaction expanded Muller Martini's hardcover and bookbinding capabilities in Germany.

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• 2014Exit from printing-press productionStrategy

  Muller Martini was repositioning itself in response to changes in the printing and graphic-arts equipment market.

  What changed. The company announced that it would discontinue production of printing presses and focus more strongly on print finishing. It also assumed service responsibility for Heidelberg saddle stitchers and perfect binders.

  Aftermath. The move reinforced Muller Martini's concentration on post-press, bookbinding, and related service activities.

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• 2013Corporate reform and Felben site closureStrategy

  The graphic-arts industry was undergoing rapid technological and structural change.

  What changed. Muller Martini announced a major corporate reform and planned to close its Felben, Switzerland, site.

  Aftermath. The decision formed part of a broader effort to adapt the group's organization and manufacturing footprint.

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• 2004Create the On Demand Solutions segmentStrategy

  Digital printing was creating demand for industrial finishing systems suited to shorter runs and digitally produced books.

  What changed. Muller Martini founded the On Demand Solutions business segment, later renamed Digital Solutions, to provide commercial-quality finishing for digital book production.

  Aftermath. The segment became part of the group's longer-term digital book-production and print-finishing strategy.

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• 2023Muller Martini takes over Hunkeler AG

  Muller Martini acquired Hunkeler AG in Wikon, Switzerland, broadening its position in paper-processing and print-finishing technology.

  M&A
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• 2021Muller Martini closes its Bad Mergentheim site

  The group closed its production and training location in Bad Mergentheim, Germany.

  Other
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• 2020Muller Martini sells MM Druckmaschinen GmbH

  MM Druckmaschinen GmbH in Maulburg, Germany, was sold to the Goebel Group.

  M&A
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• 2020Muller Martini integrates Muller Martini Electronic AG

  Muller Martini Druckverarbeitungs-Systeme AG took over Muller Martini Electronic AG as part of an organizational consolidation.

  M&A
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• 2018Muller Martini acquires the Kolbus bookbinding division

  The group took over the bookbinding division recently separated from Kolbus, including approximately 250 employees at the Kolbus plant in Rahden, Germany.

  M&A
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• 2014Muller Martini discontinues printing-press production

  Muller Martini announced that it would stop producing printing presses and concentrate more strongly on print-finishing activities. It also assumed service responsibility for Heidelberg saddle stitchers and perfect binders.

  Product generation
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• 2013Muller Martini announces corporate reform and closure of the Felben site

  The company announced a corporate reorganization intended to adapt the business to changes in the graphic-arts market and planned to close its Felben, Switzerland, site.

  Other
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1. Muller Martini