Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG), a leading technology company in mechanical engineering, has released its key figures for the first nine months of financial year 2024/2025 (April 1 to December 31, 2024) and the third quarter (October 1 to December 31, 2024). These figures are in line with the expected developments communicated by the company. The third quarter of the current financial year saw significant improvements in key operating results compared to the first half-year and the equivalent quarter of the previous year. The adjusted EBITDA margin for the third quarter was 9.2 percent, a significant increase from 5.7 percent in the equivalent quarter of the previous year, thanks to high capacity utilization and intensified cost-cutting measures. Sales have also increased quarter by quarter during this financial year, with €594 million in the third quarter matching the figure for the equivalent quarter of the previous year. Incoming orders were up by 8.3 percent at €550 million in the third quarter, much better than the current developments in the mechanical and plant engineering sector as a whole. The company also has a high order backlog of €903 million, pointing to a strong final quarter.
Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG, said, “We have succeeded in continuously improving our sales and operating result quarter by quarter in a difficult economic environment. Thanks to our high order backlog, we can confirm that we will achieve our targets for the year.” He also mentioned that the company will continue to drive down costs and improve efficiency in the coming year, which will have a positive effect on profitability.
Based on strong order levels, HEIDELBERG anticipates a clear increase in sales in the fourth quarter of the current financial year. The adjusted EBITDA after nine months amounted to €86 million, and the adjusted EBITDA margin was 5.7 percent. This is due to the low sales volume in the first quarter and associated high losses. However, the company expects a significant increase in sales in the final quarter, leading to an improved adjusted EBITDA margin of up to around 8 percent in the next financial year.
The Packaging segment has been a significant growth driver for HEIDELBERG, with incoming orders increasing by around 11 percent to €959 million for the first three quarters and 15 percent in the third quarter. According to David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG, the company’s positioning as a systems integrator and total solution provider has allowed them to expand their strong position in the packaging market. He also mentioned that packaging printing is the current growth sector for the printing industry, and HEIDELBERG is continuously expanding its portfolio in this market.
To further expand its market position, HEIDELBERG is tapping into growth potential in its core market, including packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and the lifecycle business. The company also aims to expand into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering and green technologies.
Based on its strategic initiatives, HEIDELBERG sees overall growth potential of over €300 million in the medium term. Factoring in its expectations and prerequisites, the company anticipates that sales for financial year 2024/2025 will match the previous year’s level, and the adjusted EBITDA margin will improve to up to around 8 percent in the next financial year.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG has been a leading technology company for 175 years, focusing on innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide. With a strong international presence, the company is well-positioned for future growth in its core areas and expansion into new business areas.
