DES expects little change in the Australasian market for Hahnemühle digital fine art paper range following the announcement that its German principal and a group of private investors had bought out the Düren-based premium paper business of M-real-Zanders.
According to DES director, Ian Clare, the new owners will acquire Zanders’ trademarks and production facilities, with the new combined operation seen as potentially one of Europe’s leading premium paper manufacturers. It will operate under the name of Reflex Premium Papier, the beginnings of which date back to the 16th century when Düren became the capital of the world’s paper trade.
Also established in the 16th century, Hahnemühle has subsidiaries in most global markets, as well as a worldwide sales network for art, photography, graphic applications and technical specialty papers. In Australia and New Zealand, the DES Image Products business has handled distribution of the Hahnemühle digital fine art paper range for the past six years.
One of its growth areas, according to Clare, has been the recent surge in promotional portfolio presentations and digital photograph albums for which the Hahnemühle FineArt range offers photographers a wide range of possibilities.
“We expect little change on the local scene as a result of the European buyout,” Clare said. “It is however highly likely that it could add considerably to our future product offerings in the Australasian markets.”