HEIDELBERG holds its ground in a difficult market environment in FY 2024/25 - targets achieved, significant increase in incoming orders compared to previous year

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 2025/26.

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 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 fair.

Both 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 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.

- Picture is available at AP –

 

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 www.heidelberg.com.

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.