BIRKAN Company news
25 September 2024
100 years of BIRKAN: glamourous anniversary celebration with Knight Templars
BIRKAN GmbH celebrated a rare company anniversary last weekend: 100 years ago – on 12 November 1924 – Birkner & Kandlbinder OHG was founded, from which BIRKAN GmbH emerged in 1979. To mark the occasion, Mathias Klein and his daughter Stefanie Klein, company owner and Managing Director, organised an anniversary celebration for employees and their families on 21 September. Local pensioners were also invited.
In glorious autumn weather, the guests, many of whom appeared in traditional Bavarian costume, gathered for an aperitif in front of the marquee and listened to the Tuerkenfeld brass band, which provided the musical accompaniment for the first half of the day. After the guests had enjoyed the savoury and epicurean delights of the food truck, Managing Director Mathias Klein reviewed the highs and lows of the company's history in his speech: From the patented invention of a rubber blanket for printers, through the war and post-war years in bombed-out Munich, to the company's own building in Eching am Ammersee, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit have characterised the fortunes of BIRKAN GmbH, which is now one of the largest blanket converters in Central Europe. Stefanie Klein, who has been a member of the management team since 2014, then thanked the employees for their commitment and longstanding loyalty and promised to lead the company into an equally successful future.
Several impressive highlights were provided by a group of Knight Templars from nearby Kaltenberg (widely known for its medieval festivals), who created a historical flair with authentic costumes and weapons: show fights, sword training for children and adults and a knightly speech by the Master of the Order, including honours for individual employees, ensured that there was never a dull moment. Not forgetting the election of the Salt Servant and the knighthood for particularly deserving employees... In between, the children were able to let off steam in the bouncy castle (where adults were also spotted) and try out crazy costumes in the photo booth.
To round off this successful day, Mathias and Stefanie Klein planted a young ginkgo tree on the company premises with the participation of all employees, as a symbol of the company's longevity and a bearer of hope for the future.
15 September 2024
BIRKAN receives certificate for 60 years of Fogra membership
Fogra is one of the most important research institutes in the print and media industry. It is organised as a non-profit association whose members all support the common goal of promoting printing and media technology in the areas of research, development and application and making the results usable for the printing industry.
BIRKAN has always endeavoured to look for improvements in the interests of its customers, the users of printing blankets, and to pass on technical knowledge. We therefore attach great importance to our Fogra membership. We are proud to have been contributing to progress in printing technology with our commitment to Fogra since 1964 – for 60 years!
(More about Fogra here.)
11 July 2024
BIRKAN becomes TyreF distribution partner
Founded in 2007, TyreF has developed into an internationally recognised manufacturer of coating plates for the printing industry within just a few years. The range includes coating plates in various thicknesses and with different application focuses as well as underpacking blankets and special printing blankets. The coating plates developed by TyreF and produced in Arco in northern Italy are adapted to the diverse and specific requirements of the packaging industry and commercial printing.
Not only are raw materials selected according to strict quality criteria used in production, but particular emphasis is placed on sustainability and environmental compatibility – from renewable energies to the ingredients: All products are solvent- and phthalate-free and therefore comply with the guidelines for food packaging. The coating plates are suitable for all types of the latest dispersion and UV coatings as well as speciality coatings. A special surface technology ensures optimum coating transfer without coating build-up.
“The decision to take on the future sales partnership in the DACH region was an easy one for us, as we see a great deal of agreement with TyreF in all key areas,” says Managing Director Josef Wittenberger. “Both our focus is clearly on product quality, which enables us to help our customers optimise their printing processes. We were also impressed by TyreF's innovative strength and willingness to develop new products with us, as well as their ecological approach to production.” Both companies are looking forward to their partnership with great confidence.
The TyreF range:
Rossa Evo / Rossa Evo HS / Aqua Plus PB 1.95 / Aqua Plus FB 1.95
14 February 2024
New photovoltaic system
Our new photovoltaic system has just been successfully connected to the grid. From now on, our production will run on electricity from renewable energies!
We are delighted to be making a contribution to greater sustainability and reducing our CO2 footprint. And that's not all: on production-free days, surplus electricity is fed into the grid – so the region also benefits.
(PS: Don't hesitate to click on the photo and admire the view of our drone on the Ammersee lake in the background...)
24 January 2024
Good scores in customer satisfaction survey
We are extremely pleased with the results of our latest customer satisfaction survey. Among other things, it revealed (once again) that 100% of participants are satisfied with their contact persons – 90% are even very satisfied! This is a confirmation of our philosophy of customer proximity and the best possible service orientation.
The other ratings:
• 100% are satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of our products (mostly very satisfied!);
• 4.5 (out of 5) stars for delivery times;
• 4.7 (out of 5) stars for the general cooperation.
We would like to thank all customers who took part in this (anonymous) survey for their feedback.
6 October 2023
Strategic partnership with Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions
Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions and BIRKAN GmbH have entered into a strategic partnership in the field of consumables. BIRKAN will be responsible for the procurement and finishing of printing blankets as well as other consumables for banknote and security printing.
The first joint product of this partnership has just been launched: MasterSECURE is a newly developed printing blanket for the Super Simultan and Super Orlof Intaglio machine classes. It ensures perfect and consistent printing results, improves production stability and, last but not least, is characterised by excellent sheet release (see also Koenig & Bauer News.)