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Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
HEIDELBERG focuses on economic efficiency in FY 2025/26 – operating margin set to rise further
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is starting financial year 2025/26 on a strong note. Based on itsglobal market position, itsportfolio expansionin strategic growth markets, and amuch-improved cost basis, and despite a difficult economic climate, the company is expecting a slightincrease in salesto around € 2,350 million in the new financial year and an adjusted operating margin ofup to 8 percent. It sees growth potential in a number of areas. These include playing a leading role as asystems integratorfor packaging and digital printing with hybrid printing solutions, combining software and service business in a digital ecosystem, and expanding the operation ofcharging infrastructure, including DC technology. HEIDELBERG is also expecting a big boost from theAsia/Pacificregion. Healthy incoming orders at May's China Print trade show confirmed this and created the basis for a successful start to the new financial year. 'Significant strategic and operational improvements have paved the way for further profitable growth,' said Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG. 'Our measures will make a substantial contribution to the expected increase in sales. Enhanced efficiency and performance will further boost our profitability. Encouragingly, the capital market is also increasingly acknowledging our focus on economic efficiency and liquidity,' he added. Targets for financial year 2024/25 achieved – sales and adjusted EBITDA margin match previous year's figure In financial year 2024/25, HEIDELBERG held its own in a difficult market environment and met its targets. The adjustedEBITDA marginremained stable at 7.1 percent, for example, ending the financial year on a successful note. The cost-cutting and efficiency measures initiated by the company successfully compensated for a slightly lower volume of sales than in the previous year, rising wage costs, and expenses relating to the drupa trade show. In the fourth quarter alone, the adjusted EBITDA margin doubled compared with the previous year and reached around 10 percent. At € 2,280 million,saleswere slightly down on the previous year's figure (€ 2,395 million). Following a weak first quarter due to purchasing restraint ahead of the drupa industry trade show, sales during the financial year increased quarter by quarter and were particularly strong in the fourth quarter. Thefree cash flowwas once again significantly positive at € 51 million (previous year: € 56 million). China Print trade show's positive impact on orders creates basis for good start to FY 2025/26 HEIDELBERG ended financial year 2024/25 with a high level of incoming orders. In the fourth quarter, the figure of € 611 million forincoming orderswas up on the previous quarters of the financial year. One reason for this is the company's global and diversified setup, which enables HEIDELBERG to benefit from the different growth dynamics in the individual regions. This is emphasized by the high level of incoming orders at May's China Print trade show, which will have a positive impact in the new financial year. During financial year 2024/25 as a whole, HEIDELBERG generated incoming orders of around € 2,433 million, which was 6 percent up on the previous year's level (€ 2,288 million). This also resulted in a corresponding big increase in theorder backlogas at March 31, 2025 – from € 652 million on the same reference date the previous year to € 722 million. ThePackaging SolutionsandPrint Solutionssegments benefited from the product innovations presented at drupa. Their incoming orders for financial year 2024/25 both increased – by around 7 percent to € 1,272 million for the Packaging Solutions segment and by about 6 percent to € 1,155 million for the Print Solutions segment. 'Thanks to the improving order situation and the positive momentum from the China Print trade show, we are expecting a better start to the new financial year than we had the previous year,' said Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. 'Our new portfolio of very large format presses for packaging reaffirms our approach of gradually further expanding our portfolio in growth segments. By also incorporating automation, robotics, and software, we now offer customers integrated end-to-end solutions for the entire production process. Our aim as a system provider is to tap into the sizable potential in the growing packaging segment. All in all, we are therefore embarking on the new financial year full of confidence,' he continued. Outlook for FY 2025/26 – slight increase in sales expected and adjusted EBITDA margin set to rise to as much as around 8 percent In view of macroeconomic developments, taking into account the various opportunities and risks, and assuming the global economy does not see weaker growth than predicted by the relevant institutions, the company is expectingsalesof around € 2,350 million in financial year 2025/26 (2024/25: € 2,280 million). TheEBITDA marginadjusted for special items is predicted to rise to as much as 8 percent (previous year: 7.1 percent). The changedsegment structureat HEIDELBERG from April 1, 2025 means the company will, in the future, report figures for the Print & Packaging Equipment, Digital Solutions & Lifecycle, and HEIDELBERG Technology segments. The purpose of this new segment structure is to strengthen the focus on product-oriented management in line with market and customer needs, and also on systematically taking responsibility for results. About HEIDELBERG Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG as a total solution provider is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions and the lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control, automation technology and robotics as well as the growing green technologies. With a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its around 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China and the USA and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is well-positioned for future growth. Press kit 175 Years of HEIDELBERG - Home of Print | HEIDELBERG Image material and further information about the company are available in theInvestor Relationsportal andPress Loungeof Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG Important note: This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates made by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even if the company management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are accurate, actual future developments and future actual results may deviate considerably from these assumptions and estimates due to a variety of factors. These factors may include, for example, changes in the overall economic situation, exchange rates and interest rates as well as changes within the graphic arts industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft provides no guarantee and assumes no liability that future developments and the actual results achieved in the future will correspond to the assumptions and estimates made in this press release.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
HEIDELBERG focuses on economic efficiency in FY 2025/26 – operating margin set to rise further
• Targets for financial year 2024/25 achieved – sales and adjusted EBITDA margin match previous year's figure • Significantly positive free cash flow of € 51 million • China Print trade show's positive impact on orders creates basis for good start to FY 2025/26 • Areas with growth potential range from packaging and digital printing to software and lifecycle products • Outlook for FY 2025/26 – slight increase in sales expected and adjusted EBITDA margin set to rise to as much as around 8 percent HEIDELBERG, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 5 June 2025 - Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is starting financial year 2025/26 on a strong note. Based on its global market position, its portfolio expansion in strategic growth markets, and a much-improved cost basis, and despite a difficult economic climate, the company is expecting a slight increase in sales to around € 2,350 million in the new financial year and an adjusted operating margin of up to 8 percent. It sees growth potential in a number of areas. These include playing a leading role as a systems integrator for packaging and digital printing with hybrid printing solutions, combining software and service business in a digital ecosystem, and expanding the operation of charging infrastructure, including DC technology. HEIDELBERG is also expecting a big boost from the Asia/Pacific region. Healthy incoming orders at May's China Print trade show confirmed this and created the basis for a successful start to the new financial year. 'Significant strategic and operational improvements have paved the way for further profitable growth,' said Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG. 'Our measures will make a substantial contribution to the expected increase in sales. Enhanced efficiency and performance will further boost our profitability. Encouragingly, the capital market is also increasingly acknowledging our focus on economic efficiency and liquidity,' he added. Targets for financial year 2024/25 achieved – sales and adjusted EBITDA margin match previous year's figure In financial year 2024/25, HEIDELBERG held its own in a difficult market environment and met its targets. The adjusted EBITDA margin remained stable at 7.1 percent, for example, ending the financial year on a successful note. The cost-cutting and efficiency measures initiated by the company successfully compensated for a slightly lower volume of sales than in the previous year, rising wage costs, and expenses relating to the drupa trade show. In the fourth quarter alone, the adjusted EBITDA margin doubled compared with the previous year and reached around 10 percent. At € 2,280 million, sales were slightly down on the previous year's figure (€ 2,395 million). Following a weak first quarter due to purchasing restraint ahead of the drupa industry trade show, sales during the financial year increased quarter by quarter and were particularly strong in the fourth quarter. The free cash flow was once again significantly positive at € 51 million (previous year: € 56 million). China Print trade show's positive impact on orders creates basis for good start to FY 2025/26 HEIDELBERG ended financial year 2024/25 with a high level of incoming orders. In the fourth quarter, the figure of € 611 million for incoming orders was up on the previous quarters of the financial year. One reason for this is the company's global and diversified setup, which enables HEIDELBERG to benefit from the different growth dynamics in the individual regions. This is emphasized by the high level of incoming orders at May's China Print trade show, which will have a positive impact in the new financial year. During financial year 2024/25 as a whole, HEIDELBERG generated incoming orders of around € 2,433 million, which was 6 percent up on the previous year's level (€ 2,288 million). This also resulted in a corresponding big increase in the order backlog as at March 31, 2025 – from € 652 million on the same reference date the previous year to € 722 million. The Packaging Solutions and Print Solutions segments benefited from the product innovations presented at drupa. Their incoming orders for financial year 2024/25 both increased – by around 7 percent to € 1,272 million for the Packaging Solutions segment and by about 6 percent to € 1,155 million for the Print Solutions segment. 'Thanks to the improving order situation and the positive momentum from the China Print trade show, we are expecting a better start to the new financial year than we had the previous year,' said Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. 'Our new portfolio of very large format presses for packaging reaffirms our approach of gradually further expanding our portfolio in growth segments. By also incorporating automation, robotics, and software, we now offer customers integrated end-to-end solutions for the entire production process. Our aim as a system provider is to tap into the sizable potential in the growing packaging segment. All in all, we are therefore embarking on the new financial year full of confidence,' he continued. Outlook for FY 2025/26 – slight increase in sales expected and adjusted EBITDA margin set to rise to as much as around 8 percent In view of macroeconomic developments, taking into account the various opportunities and risks, and assuming the global economy does not see weaker growth than predicted by the relevant institutions, the company is expecting sales of around € 2,350 million in financial year 2025/26 (2024/25: € 2,280 million). The EBITDA margin adjusted for special items is predicted to rise to as much as 8 percent (previous year: 7.1 percent). The changed segment structure at HEIDELBERG from April 1, 2025 means the company will, in the future, report figures for the Print & Packaging Equipment, Digital Solutions & Lifecycle, and HEIDELBERG Technology segments. The purpose of this new segment structure is to strengthen the focus on product-oriented management in line with market and customer needs, and also on systematically taking responsibility for results.
Associated Press
06-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
HEIDELBERG holds its ground in a difficult market environment in FY 2024/25 - targets achieved, significant increase in incoming orders compared to previous year
Sales and adjusted EBITDA margin at previous year's level according to preliminary figures Free cash flow excluding special items clearly positive at around € 50 million Rising order intake compared to previous year lays the foundation for a good start to FY 2025/26 Additional, positive order impetus expected from China Print trade fair in May Adjusted EBITDA margin to rise to around 8 percent in FY 2025/26 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) held its own in a difficult market environment in financial year 2024/25 and achieved the targets it had set itself. According to preliminary calculations, the adjustedEBITDA marginremained stable at 7.1 percent, bringing the financial year to a successful close. The slightly lower sales volume compared to the previous year, rising wage costs and expenses for the drupa trade fair were successfully offset by the cost-cutting and efficiency measures initiated. In the fourth quarter alone, the adjusted EBITDA margin doubled to around 10 percent compared to the previous year. At around € 2,280 million,saleswere slightly below the previous year's level (€ 2,395 million). After a weak first quarter due to a reluctance to buy in the run-up to the drupa trade fair, sales increased quarter by quarter in the financial year and closed with a particularly strong fourth quarter. At around € 50 million,free cash flowwas once again clearly positive (previous year: € 56 million), which did not include any special items in the reporting year, such as from the sale of non-operating assets. 'We were able to achieve our financial year targets in a difficult economic environment and uncertain geopolitical conditions,' said Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG. 'With a clearly positive free cash flow for the second year in a row, we have confirmed our financially solid development. The measures initiated to reduce personnel costs will help us to further strengthen our profitability in the new financial year.' The adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to improve further to around 8 percent in the next financial year 2025/26. Rising incoming orders compared to the previous year lays the foundation for a good start to FY 2025/26 HEIDELBERG closed the past financial year with a high order intake. At over € 600 million,incoming orders inthe fourth quarter were up on the previous quarters of the financial year. The basis for this is also the global and diversified positioning of the company, which allows HEIDELBERG to benefit from the different growth dynamics in the individual regions. The significant increase in incoming orders in the EMEA region in the fourth quarter deserves special mention, while the Americas region showed a slight improvement at a still subdued level. After several previous quarters of strong growth, the Asia/Pacific region was below the previous year's level, mainly to the reluctance to invest ahead of the China Print trade fair. Both segments in the core business achieved an increase in orders thanks to strong development in the Sheetfed product area, with thePackagingSolutionssegmentaccounting for the higher growth. Preliminaryorder intakefor the year as a whole therefore totaled around € 2.430 billion, which was around 6 percent higher than the previous year's figure of € 2.288 billion. Overall, the improvement can be seen across both segments, with Packaging Solutions accounting for around 52 percent of order intake for the year as a whole. Compared to the previous year, order intake in this strategically important segment recorded absolute growth of around 7 percent. 'Our global presence in over 170 countries around the world is paying off, especially in economically uncertain times,' said Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. 'Thanks to the rising order situation, we expect a better start to the new financial year compared to the previous year. The China Print trade fair in May should provide further impetus for orders. We are also keeping a close eye on the development of customs duties worldwide. However, there is no comparable manufacturer in the USA in our core business. In the global market environment, our competitors are likely to be affected by the US tariffs to the same extent, meaning that we will continue to maintain our leading position. Overall, we are therefore confident about the new financial year. Additional, positive order impetus expected from China Print trade fair in May From May 15 to 19, China Print, the largest trade fair in the Chinese printing industry, will take place in Beijing this year with over 100,000 visitors. Customer groups from overseas are also expected to attend. In terms of sales, China is one of the top three markets for HEIDELBERG. At the booth, the company will showcase its latest innovations aimed at increasing efficiency and productivity, integrated hybrid production with offset and digital printing, developing new business opportunities and digital transformation. HEIDELBERG intends to gradually expand its business and portfolio to offer customers integrated end-to-end solutions for the entire production process through automation, robotics and software. As a system provider, the aim is to tap into the huge potential in the growing packaging segment. In China, the annual printing volume in the packaging sector is growing by around 4 percent. HEIDELBERG is thus also creating competitive advantages for its customers in China and intends to grow further in this market segment. China Print 2025 | HEIDELBERG The publication of the audited financial figures for the 2024/25 financial year is scheduled for June 5. About HEIDELBERG: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has stood for innovation, quality and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG is driving further development in its core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions and the lifecycle business with service and consumables, so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. The company is also focusing on expanding new business areas in the industrial business, such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control, automation technology and robotics, as well as the growing green technologies. With a strong international presence in around 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its approximately 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China and the USA and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is ideally positioned for future growth. Image 1:Growth market packaging printing: High interest worldwide in the Boardmaster from HEIDELBERG for high-volume folding carton production. Image 2:HEIDELBERG expects additional, positive order impetus from the China Print trade fair in May. Images and further information about the company are available on the Investor Relations and Press Portal of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at . Important note: This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates made by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even if the company management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are correct, the actual future development and the actual future results may deviate considerably from these assumptions and estimates due to a variety of factors. These factors may include, for example, changes in the overall economic situation, exchange rates and interest rates as well as changes within the graphic arts industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft provides no guarantee and assumes no liability that future developments and the actual results achieved in the future will correspond to the assumptions and estimates made in this press release. For further information:Corporate CommunicationsThomas FichtlPhone: +49 6222 82- 67123E-Mail: [email protected] Investor RelationsMaximilian BeyerTel: +49 (0)6222 82-67120E-Mail: [email protected]
Malay Mail
06-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
HEIDELBERG holds its ground in a difficult market environment in FY 2024/25 - targets achieved, significant increase in incoming orders compared to previous year
Sales and adjusted EBITDA margin at previous year's level according to preliminary figures Free cash flow excluding special items clearly positive at around € 50 million Rising order intake compared to previous year lays the foundation for a good start to FY 2025/26 Additional, positive order impetus expected from China Print trade fair in May Adjusted EBITDA margin to rise to around 8 percent in FY 2025/26 Growth market packaging printing: High interest worldwide in the Boardmaster from HEIDELBERG for high-volume folding carton production. HEIDELBERG, GERMANY - Newsaktuell - 6 May 2025 - Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) held its own in a difficult market environment in financial year 2024/25 and achieved the targets it had set itself. According to preliminary calculations, the adjusted EBITDA margin remained stable at 7.1 percent, bringing the financial year to a successful close. The slightly lower sales volume compared to the previous year, rising wage costs and expenses for the drupa trade fair were successfully offset by the cost-cutting and efficiency measures initiated. In the fourth quarter alone, the adjusted EBITDA margin doubled to around 10 percent compared to the previous year. At around € 2,280 million, sales were slightly below the previous year's level (€ 2,395 million). After a weak first quarter due to a reluctance to buy in the run-up to the drupa trade fair, sales increased quarter by quarter in the financial year and closed with a particularly strong fourth quarter. At around € 50 million, free cash flow was once again clearly positive (previous year: € 56 million), which did not include any special items in the reporting year, such as from the sale of non-operating assets."We were able to achieve our financial year targets in a difficult economic environment and uncertain geopolitical conditions," said Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG. "With a clearly positive free cash flow for the second year in a row, we have confirmed our financially solid development. The measures initiated to reduce personnel costs will help us to further strengthen our profitability in the new financial year." The adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to improve further to around 8 percent in the next financial year 2025/ closed the past financial year with a high order intake. At over € 600 million, incoming orders in the fourth quarter were up on the previous quarters of the financial year. The basis for this is also the global and diversified positioning of the company, which allows HEIDELBERG to benefit from the different growth dynamics in the individual regions. The significant increase in incoming orders in the EMEA region in the fourth quarter deserves special mention, while the Americas region showed a slight improvement at a still subdued level. After several previous quarters of strong growth, the Asia/Pacific region was below the previous year's level, mainly to the reluctance to invest ahead of the China Print trade segments in the core business achieved an increase in orders thanks to strong development in the Sheetfed product area, with the Packaging Solutions segment accounting for the higher growth. Preliminary order intake for the year as a whole therefore totaled around € 2.430 billion, which was around 6 percent higher than the previous year's figure of € 2.288 billion. Overall, the improvement can be seen across both segments, with Packaging Solutions accounting for around 52 percent of order intake for the year as a whole. Compared to the previous year, order intake in this strategically important segment recorded absolute growth of around 7 percent."Our global presence in over 170 countries around the world is paying off, especially in economically uncertain times," said Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. "Thanks to the rising order situation, we expect a better start to the new financial year compared to the previous year. The China Print trade fair in May should provide further impetus for orders. We are also keeping a close eye on the development of customs duties worldwide. However, there is no comparable manufacturer in the USA in our core business. In the global market environment, our competitors are likely to be affected by the US tariffs to the same extent, meaning that we will continue to maintain our leading position. Overall, we are therefore confident about the new financial May 15 to 19, China Print, the largest trade fair in the Chinese printing industry, will take place in Beijing this year with over 100,000 visitors. Customer groups from overseas are also expected to attend. In terms of sales, China is one of the top three markets for HEIDELBERG. At the booth, the company will showcase its latest innovations aimed at increasing efficiency and productivity, integrated hybrid production with offset and digital printing, developing new business opportunities and digital transformation. HEIDELBERG intends to gradually expand its business and portfolio to offer customers integrated end-to-end solutions for the entire production process through automation, robotics and software. As a system provider, the aim is to tap into the huge potential in the growing packaging segment. In China, the annual printing volume in the packaging sector is growing by around 4 percent. HEIDELBERG is thus also creating competitive advantages for its customers in China and intends to grow further in this market publication of the audited financial figures for the 2024/25 financial year is scheduled for June #HEIDELBERG The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About HEIDELBERG: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has stood for innovation, quality and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG is driving further development in its core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions and the lifecycle business with service and consumables, so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. The company is also focusing on expanding new business areas in the industrial business, such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control, automation technology and robotics, as well as the growing green technologies. With a strong international presence in around 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its approximately 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China and the USA and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is ideally positioned for future growth. Image 1: Growth market packaging printing: High interest worldwide in the Boardmaster from HEIDELBERG for high-volume folding carton production. Image 2: HEIDELBERG expects additional, positive order impetus from the China Print trade fair in May. Images and further information about the company are available on the Investor Relations and Press Portal of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at Important note: This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates made by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even if the company management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are correct, the actual future development and the actual future results may deviate considerably from these assumptions and estimates due to a variety of factors. These factors may include, for example, changes in the overall economic situation, exchange rates and interest rates as well as changes within the graphic arts industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft provides no guarantee and assumes no liability that future developments and the actual results achieved in the future will correspond to the assumptions and estimates made in this press release.
Associated Press
11-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Happy birthday HEIDELBERG and congratulations on your 175th anniversary!
From bell foundry to global player In its anniversary year, HEIDELBERG heads into the future with a clear growth strategy Speedmaster series perpetuates success story started by legendary 'Original Heidelberger Tiegel' – the 1921 springboard to a world-leading position Milestones in the history of HEIDELBERG On March 11, 1850 – exactly 175 years ago – the Hemmer, Hamm & Co. bell foundry and machine shop opened in Frankenthal. Besides bells, it also made printing presses, which laid the foundations for the company now called Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG). Precision, quality, and innovation were the success factors that transformed HEIDELBERG from a workshop based in the Palatinate region of Germany to a global player in the printing industry. 'A company that can sustain its success over such a long period, become a world leader in its industry, and continue to shape the entire sector right up to the present day has strong credentials that are testament to its innovative capabilities. The defining feature of HEIDELBERG is the company's understanding of markets, customers, and exceptional product quality,' says Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG. 'We also intend to maintain and build on this leading position in the future,' he adds. HEIDELBERG heads into the future with a strategy for growth To achieve this, HEIDELBERG is tapping into growth potential in its traditional core business – from packaging and digital printing to software and lifecycle products. Recently, for example, the company has significantly expanded its portfolio in the growth market of industrial digital printing, including service and consumables. Global incoming orders confirm that sales of digital printing solutions will already start increasing substantially from the coming financial year. According to market assessments, the global digital printing market that is accessible to HEIDELBERG will grow from its current level of around 5 billion euros to 7.5 billion euros in 2029. As for lifecycle business, HEIDELBERG boasts the industry's most comprehensive service network, with a presence in approximately 170 countries. Packaging printing enjoying strong growth worldwide The end-customer market for packaging has grown by more than 60 percent over the past ten years. HEIDELBERG, too, is benefiting from this development. The packaging segment accounts for more than 50 percent of the company's sales, a figure that is set to increase further still. One market driver is the global trend toward replacing plastics, films, and foils with recyclable fiber-based packaging. Hybrid print production boosts competitiveness Autonomous printing processes that make printing businesses more efficient and save on resources used to be regarded as a futuristic vision, but that changed some time ago. HEIDELBERG introduced its Push to Stop concept for a printing process with minimal operator intervention back in 2016. The AI-assisted Prinect Touch Free workflow showcased at drupa 2024 assigns print jobs to the most efficient production method and output system on an automated basis. Besides offset and digital systems from HEIDELBERG and third-party suppliers, it also covers postpress operations, all the way through to the finished final product. Controlling hybrid print production in this way makes print shops much more competitive. Growth in industrial business and with green technologies 'In addition to this, we will be further expanding our portfolio for industrial business and the growing green technologies market. This includes key sectors such as high-precision mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, charging infrastructure, software, and new hydrogen technologies,' reveals Otto. Taking into account all strategic initiatives in the period to financial year 2028/2029, and in conjunction with enhanced performance and efficiency at both staff and organizational levels, HEIDELBERG sees overall growth potential amounting to over 300 million euros. 'The achievements of HEIDELBERG over the past 175 years are impressive. We have every reason to be confident that our current market position, the expertise of our staff, and our global customer relationships will deliver further growth in the coming years,' emphasizes Otto. 2025 is all about the company's anniversary HEIDELBERG will be organizing numerous events to celebrate its anniversary year with customers, partners, politicians, and representatives of civil society. The highlight will be a week of celebrations in June, including an international ceremony at the company's largest production site, in Wiesloch-Walldorf. The HEIDELBERG customer demonstration center has been redesigned as the 'Home of Print' for this purpose. The company is organizing family days for staff at various sites. HEIDELBERG is also publishing an anniversary magazine providing insights into the company's past, present, and future. 'The loyalty of HEIDELBERG customers, partners, and staff is a mainstay of the company's success. The numerous anniversary activities throughout the year are our way of saying thank you to everyone. At the same time, we want to encourage a shared commitment to shaping the future,' says Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. Milestones in the history of HEIDELBERG · 1850: The Hemmer, Hamm & Co. bell foundry and machine shop opens in Frankenthal on March 11, laying the foundations for the company now called Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. · 1921: The first Heidelberger Tiegel is built. From 1926 onward, this automatic letterpress platen press was produced on an assembly line. By 1985, the company had manufactured over 160,000 of these presses. · 1926: Hubert H.A. Sternberg is appointed to the board of Schnellpressen-fabrik Heidelberg AG, as the company is known at the time. He remained a board member until 1972 and really made his mark on HEIDELBERG. Sternberg modernized production and marketing operations and ensured the company's growth. In 1949, he organized the first German export exhibition in the USA after the Second World War. In 1951, he then helped initiate drupa, the sector's leading global trade show to this day. · 1930: The demonstration vehicles set off. One of Sternberg's marketing ideas was to demonstrate HEIDELBERG presses to potential customers at their premises. This involved assembling them on trucks or installing them in buses and sending them to target markets around the world, accompanied by engineers. Advertising campaigns and installment-based payment plans also contributed to the success of the company's marketing. · 1951: drupa proves a big hit with the public. The International Printing and Paper Exhibition, now known as drupa, attracted 300,000 visitors in its first year. HEIDELBERG presented an enhanced version of its successful Tiegel model. To protect against copycats, all the company's presses had a manufacturer's plate bearing the 'Original Heidelberg' trademark. · 1957: HEIDELBERG creates space to grow. Further expansion within the city of Heidelberg was impossible, but thanks to Sternberg's strong commitment, the company was able to open what is still its largest production site, in Wiesloch, after a construction period of just one year. · 1962: HEIDELBERG moves into the up-and-coming offset market with its small offset rotation press (in German: Kleine Offset Rotation, or KOR for short). In 1965, this was followed by the Rotaspeed, a larger sheetfed offset press. Then, in 1972, a large platen offset press (in German: Grosse Tiegel Offset, or GTO for short) was launched and proved a successful model for years to come. · 1975: A name that says it all! The Speedmaster sheetfed offset press for multicolor printing revolutionized the market with its productivity. Operating at 11,000 sheets per hour, it became a bestseller and is, to this day, a cornerstone of the HEIDELBERG portfolio in the company's traditional core business. · 1999: HEIDELBERG acquires a 30 percent shareholding in the Swiss press manufacturer Gallus, a market leader in label printing, before taking over the company completely in 2014. · 2000: HEIDELBERG transforms itself into a solution provider, expanding its prepress and postpress portfolios through targeted acquisitions. Prinect software ushered in the era of digitalization by networking the various machines in the workflow. · 2004: HEIDELBERG takes a further key step toward digitalization, connecting a press to the Internet for the first time. · 2005: The Chinese production site in the Qingpu district of Shanghai opens. Now a cornerstone of the company's production network, it is becoming increasingly important. · 2016: At drupa, HEIDELBERG introduces the Push to Stop concept, which only requires operator intervention if a problem occurs – the next logical step toward autonomous printing. · 2018: Wallbox production starts in Wiesloch-Walldorf. The company subsequently founded a subsidiary called Amperfied that successfully tapped into a new area of business – the electromobility market. · 2020: The company moves into robotics, with industrial robots driving the automation of the printing process, including postpress operations. This automation will also extend to other areas in the future. · 2024: The new Jetfire 50 digital press developed in cooperation with Canon is unveiled at drupa 2024, offering industrial productivity in the growth area of digital printing. · 2025: The company celebrates 175 years of HEIDELBERG and opens its redesigned customer demonstration center, now called the Home of Print, in Wiesloch-Walldorf. A clear growth strategy will take the company into the future. You can read more about 175 years of HEIDELBERG and history on our anniversary website on the current Wikipedia page of the company, in the yearbook '150 years of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG' and 'A Press Is Born'. About HEIDELBERG Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth and as a total solution provider, HEIDELBERG is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control systems, automation technology, robotics, and the growing green technologies sector. With its strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the USA, and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is ideally positioned for future growth. Important note: This release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even though the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are accurate, the actual future development and results may deviate substantially from these forward-looking statements due to various factors, such as changes in the overall economic situation, in exchange and interest rates, and within the print media industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft provides no guarantee and assumes no liability for future developments and results deviating from the assumptions and estimates made in this press release.
