Markt+Technik Verlag

Markt+Technik is a German publishing brand focused on computer technology and related practical applications. Established in 1976, the publisher became particularly prominent during the expansion of home computing and personal computers in the 1980s and 1990s. Its publishing program combined periodicals, technical books, software-related material, and videogames, addressing both hobbyists and professionals. The brand’s historical importance is closely associated with German-language computer magazines including 64'er, Power Play, Happy Computer, and Computer Persönlich. These publications covered home computers, games, applications, hardware, and the rapidly developing personal-computer market. Markt+Technik also published books and software connected with widely used platforms and applications. Its Commodore 64-related output was especially notable, and the company issued material concerning software such as dBASE and GEOS. In addition to platform-specific titles, its book program included programming references, application guides, and compendia intended to help readers learn and use personal-computer software. During the 1990s, the company’s book and magazine activities were separated. The magazine business was initially transferred into the subsidiary Magna Media Verlag AG and was later brought into the WEKA Verlagsgruppe, reportedly around 1998. This restructuring reflected the increasing specialization of publishing operations and the changing economics of computer magazines as the market moved from enthusiast-oriented home computers toward mainstream PCs and software. In February 2013, Pearson Germany GmbH announced that it would discontinue the Markt+Technik publishing series for economic reasons, with the end of new book publication planned for summer 2013. The decision placed the continuity of the brand and its back catalogue in doubt. In May 2014, Braun Handels GmbH acquired the rights to the Markt+Technik brand and to the publisher’s previous book series. The brand was subsequently re-established, preserving the name and rights to its historical publications. Today, Markt+Technik is best understood as a revived German technology-publishing brand whose heritage lies in computer education, software documentation, programming references, and computer periodicals. Its historical catalogue reflects several generations of computing, from Commodore home computers and early PC applications to broader consumer and professional software topics. Publicly available reference material does not provide a complete account of its current publishing schedule, employee structure, or detailed corporate organization.

Markt+Technik was established in 1976 as a German publisher serving the emerging computer market. Its early and subsequent publishing activity developed alongside the spread of home computers, programming languages, packaged software, and personal computers. The company built a broad program that included books, magazines, software, and videogame-related material rather than concentrating on a single computer platform or audience. The publisher gained substantial recognition in the 1980s and 1990s through computer magazines such as 64'er, Power Play, Happy Computer, and Computer Persönlich. These titles addressed the interests of home-computer owners, computer gamers, software users, and readers following the growing PC industry. The magazines helped establish Markt+Technik as a recognizable German-language technology publisher during a period when specialist computer periodicals were an important source of technical information, product news, and practical advice. Alongside its magazines, Markt+Technik published books and software for home computers. Its Commodore 64 output was a notable part of this activity. The catalogue also included material related to dBASE and GEOS, as well as programming and PC-application compendia. These publications supported both beginners and more advanced users who wanted reference material, tutorials, or practical instructions for programming and software operation. The company’s publishing activities were reorganized during the 1990s. The book and magazine businesses were separated, with the magazine operations initially spun off into Magna Media Verlag AG. Around 1998, the magazine business was later introduced into the WEKA Verlagsgruppe. This separation reflected the distinct commercial and editorial requirements of magazines and books and occurred during a period of major change in the computer-publishing sector. In February 2013, Pearson Germany GmbH announced that the Markt+Technik publishing series would end in summer 2013 because of economic considerations. The announcement meant that new books would no longer be published under the series, although the name and earlier catalogue retained potential value. In May 2014, Braun Handels GmbH bought the rights to the Markt+Technik brand and to the publisher’s past book series. The brand was then re-established. The available reference material does not document the full details of the revived publisher’s present corporate structure, editorial staff, financial performance, or current catalogue. The continuing official website indicates an ongoing brand presence, while the best-documented historical identity of Markt+Technik remains that of a German computer and technology publisher with a significant role in the home-computer and early personal-computer eras.

• 2014

  Brand rights are acquired and the imprint is re-established

  [1]Markt+Techniken.wikipedia.org

  Braun Handels GmbH acquires the Markt+Technik brand and rights to its earlier book series, after which the publishing brand is re-established.

• 2013

  Pearson announces discontinuation of the series

  [1]Markt+Techniken.wikipedia.org

  Pearson Germany announces that economic reasons will lead to the end of new Markt+Technik books in summer 2013.

• 1998

  Magazine business enters the WEKA Verlagsgruppe

  [1]Markt+Techniken.wikipedia.org

  After an initial spin-off into Magna Media Verlag AG, the magazine activities are later introduced into the WEKA Verlagsgruppe, reportedly around 1998.

• 1990

  Book and magazine activities are separated

  [1]Markt+Techniken.wikipedia.org

  The publishing house separates its book business from its magazine business during the 1990s.

• 1980

  Expansion during the home-computer era

  [1]Markt+Techniken.wikipedia.org

  During the 1980s, Markt+Technik becomes well known through computer magazines and publications for home-computer users, including Commodore 64 material.

• 1976

  Markt+Technik is established

  [1]Markt+Techniken.wikipedia.org

  The German publisher is founded with a focus on computer-related books, magazines, software, and related media.

A German technology publisher serving computer enthusiasts, programmers, software users, and readers seeking practical guidance on personal computing.

• Technology publishing · 1976

  Computer books

  Books covering personal computers, computer software, programming, and practical technology use formed the core of the Markt+Technik catalogue. The program included introductory guides, reference works, application manuals, and more comprehensive volumes intended for readers working with home computers and PCs.

• Periodicals

  Computer magazines

  Markt+Technik became widely recognized for German-language computer magazines, including 64'er, Power Play, Happy Computer, and Computer Persönlich. These publications covered hardware, software, games, programming, applications, and developments in the home-computer and personal-computer markets.

• Home-computer publishing

  Commodore 64 publications and software

  The publisher produced books and software for home computers, particularly the Commodore 64. This output addressed programming, applications, and practical use of one of the most influential home-computer platforms of the 1980s.

• Application software publishing

  dBASE publications

  Markt+Technik published material related to dBASE, supporting users of the database application through instructional and reference-oriented books.

• Home-computer software publishing

  GEOS publications and software

  The catalogue also included publications and software connected with GEOS, reflecting the publisher’s role in documenting and supporting software environments used on home computers.

• Reference publishing

  Programming and PC-application compendia

  The publisher issued compendia and reference works for programming and PC applications. These works were designed to gather practical information in durable book formats for learners, hobbyists, and software users.

• 2014

  Acquisition and re-establishment of the brandM&A

  Background

  Following the announced end of Pearson Germany’s series, the Markt+Technik name and its historical book catalogue remained available for acquisition.

  Action taken

  Braun Handels GmbH bought the rights to the Markt+Technik brand and to the publisher’s previous book series, then re-established the brand.

  Aftermath

  The transaction preserved the Markt+Technik name and its back catalogue as a continuing technology-publishing brand.

  Source

• 2013

  Discontinuation of the Markt+Technik book seriesStrategy

  Background

  Pearson Germany reported that economic considerations made continuation of the Markt+Technik publishing series impractical.

  Action taken

  Pearson Germany announced that the series would end in summer 2013 and that no additional new books would be published under it.

  Aftermath

  The brand’s publishing continuity was interrupted until Braun Handels GmbH acquired the brand and back-catalogue rights in 2014.

  Source

1. 1Markt+Techniken.wikipedia.org
2. 2Markt+Technik official websitemut.de