Heidelberg is taking full control of Polar, bringing production, development, sales and service under one roof in a move designed to strengthen automation, post-press capability and its position in the global packaging and label markets.
The company said the manroland sheetfed transaction was completed at the beginning of July, allowing the integration into the Heidelberg Group to proceed as planned.
Under a separate agreement, Heidelberg will take over production of Polar machines and systems, with development to be integrated into the company's organisation. The agreement follows the integration of Polar's technology, brand, sales and service, and further expands Heidelberg's position in the packaging and label markets.
Jürgen Otto, chief executive officer at Heidelberg, said the integration of the two businesses would strengthen the company's position in the printing and packaging industry.
"By integrating the businesses of manroland sheetfed and Polar, Heidelberg is strengthening its leading position in the printing and packaging industry," said Otto. "We are consistently expanding our value chain and thereby creating added value for our customers."
Heidelberg said the Polar portfolio includes components and systems that automate post-press processes, including loading, shaking, cutting, die-cutting, unloading and banding. The company said existing service, support and sales processes for customers will remain unchanged.
The company also said the acquisition would support the development of new automation and workflow integration solutions.
Production of Polar equipment will be integrated into Heidelberg's manufacturing network in stages. The current production site in Hofheim will eventually close following its sale, with the company using the intervening period to prepare for the transition.
Otto said the acquisition reinforced Heidelberg's role as a systems integrator.
"With the complete acquisition of Polar, we are further expanding our leading role as a systems integrator. For our customers, reliability and performance are always the top priorities."
Heidelberg said its collaboration with Polar dates back to the 1950s and that the integration of development, production, sales and service would create a single offering across the value chain.
The parties have not disclosed the financial terms of the agreement.