Press maker Koenig & Bauer has spun off its AI-assisted Kyana technology portal as a wholly-owned subsidiary, separate from the main business.

Kyana made an early appearance in 2020, delivering digital production support – from remote support and detailed performance monitoring to predictive maintenance – for the German maker’s alphaJet printers.

From April 1, the group is sharpening its digital pitch, splitting its group digital unit into a subsidiary within its ‘special and new technologies’ segment, and with its own management structure.

Sandra Wagner, previously vice president of digitalisation at Koenig & Bauer, has been appointed managing director of Koenig & Bauer Kyana, a spin-off the mechanical engineering company sees as an important milestone in its digital strategy.

Group chief executive Andreas Pleßke says Koenig & Bauer Kyana will still concentrate on developing digital business models as well as AI and data-driven solutions “throughout the entire life cycle of print products.

“We are convinced that this strategic spin-off, combined with the concentration and consolidation of our outstanding expertise in the field of digitalisation, will make a significant contribution to the long-term success of our company,” he said.

Pleßke says the spin-off will enable the company to meet customer needs “in a more targeted manner and to optimally exploit the growth potential in this dynamic market segment”

Wagner says the latest move creates the organisational structure of an agile software company, enabling it to respond faster and more comprehensively to customer needs.

This will facilitate targeted development and expansion of specialised areas such as digital sales, a dedicated onboarding and support team, and sustained customer care.

With the IT department, it is building IT and cloud infrastructurewith its technology partners, with which it has already launched digital products used by customers to optimise their own production processes. Components include the myKyana portal, an AI-powered chatbot for assistance and problem solving, and an intelligent production data analysis tool. Additionally, the VisuEnergy X energy management system is optimised for print and packaging.

The ‘connected packaging’ solution seen at DRUPA last year aims to bridge the gap between analogue packaging and the digital world, with new ways for brand owners to interact with their customers, with Koenig & Bauer hoping to bundle its digitalisation expertise “in a more targeted manner”.

Images from the Kyana website and (left) Christian Steinmaßl with Sandra Wagner