Under the insolvency declared in November, manroland is looking to the New Year optimistically, but one month at a time.

Insolvency administrator Werner Schneider says he is currently involved in many negotiations, with “prospects of a successful investors' agreement for the insolvent manroland AG have improving further”.

Schneider, an auditor with law firm of Schneider, Geiwitz & Partner says there have been numerous negotiations with interested parties in the past few days. "We now have parties seriously interested in all three production sites in Augsburg, Offenbach and Plauen, with whom we are involved in ongoing negotiations.

“The ultimate aim continues to be the selling of key company segments by the end of the current insolvency proceedings on January 31, 2012 in order to ensure continued operations and to save as many jobs as possible.

“Given the promising interest of potential buyers, this remains a feasible aim. However, nothing has been signed yet."

He thanks representatives of the works council for “excellent cooperation and their constructive collaboration” towards a quick selling solution.

Manufacturing at the German sites is continuing without any restrictions. Two large 96-page Lithoman presses have gone into operation recently and a third will be delivered within a few days. The sheetfed business sector is also expected to deliver 29 presses by the end of January.

“Based on the current order situation, production will continue beyond January 31, 2012,” Schneider says.

Intensive negotiations by both the insolvency administrator and manroland  management saved orders from cancellation, and the administrator says all commitments are currently being met. “The operative business is continuing smoothly thanks to interim financing, and similarly, the service business for existing customers has not been affected.”