SHERIDAN, WYOMING – October 15, 2025 – Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) and China’s MK Masterwork are deepening their decade-long collaboration to advance automation and robotics in packaging production. The renewed strategic partnership, announced at a joint anniversary event in Tianjin, underscores both companies’ commitment to delivering integrated, end-to-end solutions for the global packaging and printing industry.
A Decade of Partnership Strengthening Global Reach
Since entering a strategic sales agreement in 2015, HEIDELBERG has distributed MK Masterwork’s high-performance finishing systems—including die-cutters, folding carton gluers, and hot-foil stamping machines—outside of China. Over the past decade, approximately 1,500 systems have been installed worldwide, supporting packaging manufacturers in achieving higher efficiency and throughput.
The expanded partnership agreement, signed during the anniversary celebration, paves the way for the next phase of collaboration: combining automation and robotics to optimize entire packaging workflows. The companies plan to co-develop complete production solutions tailored to customer needs, further strengthening HEIDELBERG’s role as a global system integrator.
Advancing Automation and Robotics in Packaging Workflows
The integration of MK Masterwork’s robotics systems marks a significant milestone in transforming packaging production. These technologies are becoming critical in intralogistics, automating material handling and improving line efficiency.
Key benefits of this automation include:
- Increased productivity through seamless machine connectivity
- Reduction of manual labor and personnel costs
- Consistent quality control across production stages
- Enhanced adaptability for high-mix, short-run packaging demands
“Packaging printing is a central component of our growth strategy for our core business,” said Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology and Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. “And our cooperation with MK Masterwork is a long-standing success story. We are now renewing and expanding this strategic partnership, thereby underlining our approach as a system integrator for end-to-end packaging production. We offer our customers efficient complete solutions and at the same time tap into further potential in the attractive segment of packaging finishing.”
Expanding Global Leadership Through Innovation
MK Masterwork, now China’s leading provider of packaging finishing systems, continues to expand its international footprint. Its Tianjin manufacturing site—covering around 600,000 square meters and employing over 1,800 people—supports rapid production growth and export demand.
“Thanks to our innovative and economical technologies, MK Masterwork has continued to grow dynamically in recent years and has already become the market-leading provider of packaging finishing solutions in China,” said Li Li, President and Managing Director of MK Masterwork. “Together with a strong partner like HEIDELBERG, we have succeeded in advancing to become one of the leading providers in this segment worldwide. Together, we will continue to expand our strong market position.”
Milestones Reflecting Sustained Industrial Impact
The partnership between HEIDELBERG and MK Masterwork has evolved through key technological and strategic milestones:
- 2015: Launch of the global sales partnership for MK Masterwork products
- 2016: Joint presentation at drupa, debuting collaborative packaging technologies
- 2019: MK Masterwork becomes HEIDELBERG’s largest anchor investor (8.5% voting rights)
- 2020: Creation of a joint venture for precision component manufacturing in Shanghai
- 2025: Introduction of the updated MK Mastermatrix 106 CSB die-cutter with Prinect integration, advancing fully automated production lines
These achievements align with HEIDELBERG’s broader transformation toward software-driven, robotics-enhanced, and data-integrated production ecosystems.
Strategic Outlook: Automation as the Growth Engine
The renewed agreement strengthens HEIDELBERG’s global strategy to lead in packaging and commercial printing systems through system integration and digital transformation. By combining MK Masterwork’s advanced finishing machinery with HEIDELBERG’s automation and software capabilities, the companies aim to deliver next-generation packaging workflows that are smarter, faster, and more sustainable.
As both firms celebrate major anniversaries—HEIDELBERG’s 175th and MK Masterwork’s 30th—the partnership’s focus on robotics and automation positions them at the forefront of industrial innovation in packaging production.
Learn more about HEIDELBERG’s packaging solutions and automation strategy at www.heidelberg.com.