History of a web offset printing press manufacturer

The second oldest web offset printing press manufacturer of the world

Back in 1819, the firm J.F. Schelter & Giesecke was founded in Leipzig; initially known as a type foundry, since 1827 as manufacturer of letterpress machines, cylinder proof presses and platen presses, after World War I also of web-fed, letterpress and flexo printing presses.

In 1952, VEB Druckereimaschinenwerk Universal Leipzig was the first to market the small offset press RZO, a machine modeled on the example of the flexo printing press. This machine was a pioneering feat in this area at the time. Two years later, the machine conquered the West European and North American markets.

At the “4th Salon International des Techniques Papetières et Graphiques” in 1954, the first RZO I with four printing units caused a little sensation. Only four years later, totally 135 machines type ROZ II were giving reliable service in the U.S.A. Configurations of the machine with up to nine printing units printed periodicals, magazines, packaging material and other products.

In 1968 the factory, which had meanwhile become a company within the East German Polygraph printing machine combine, marketed the first recto & verso printing machine, «zirkon 66», the first-ever zirkon machine. The first machine of this type was sold to New York.

In 1990, the factory was re-founded and renamed zirkon Druckmaschinen GmbH, built a new production and administration complex in the eastern part of Leipzig and established its name again as a web offset printing press manufacturer. Privatization came in 1994.

After successful privatization, the web offset printing press manufacturer zirkon entered the market with new and revised products meeting the requirements of the market.
This traditional printing machine company is consistently steering the course into the future.