Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) has reported a positive start to the financial year 2025/26, with sales and adjusted EBITDA margin for Q1 significantly higher than the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The company also confirmed their full-year forecast and announced a new partnership with defense specialist VINCORION.
The company, which has been a leader in the mechanical engineering industry for 175 years, saw sales in the first quarter reach €466 million, a significant increase from the previous year’s figure of €403 million. This growth was driven by a healthy order backlog from the previous year, particularly in Europe and Asia, where HEIDELBERG is strengthening its position in future markets.
The adjusted operating result (EBITDA) also improved significantly to €20 million, compared to a loss of €9 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. This was due to increased sales volume, improved production capacity utilization, and cost-cutting measures implemented by the company. HEIDELBERG’s CEO, Jürgen Otto, expressed his confidence in the company’s future prospects, thanks to their global market position, improved cost basis, and new partnerships in the defense sector.
Although the free cash flow for the first quarter was negative, it showed improvement compared to the same period of the previous year. This was due to the implementation of staffing and efficiency measures, resulting in a loss of €-68 million, compared to €-103 million in the previous year. The company’s net result after taxes also showed improvement, with a loss of €-11 million, compared to a loss of €-42 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.
In addition to their positive financial results, HEIDELBERG also announced a new MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with VINCORION Advanced Systems GmbH, marking their first project in the defense sector. This partnership will see HEIDELBERG develop, industrialize, and produce power control and distribution systems for VINCORION, as they aim to become a reliable partner in the defense market.
Looking ahead, HEIDELBERG’s full-year forecast remains positive, with expected sales of €2,350 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 8 percent. The company is also focused on expanding into new business areas, such as high-precision plant engineering and green technologies, to drive further growth and innovation.
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.
Figure 1: HEIDELBERG develops and produces innovative control and power electronics. The company intends to use this core technology to open up new business areas, such as the defense sector.
Figure 2: HEIDELBERG masters the highly productive interplay of mechanics, electrics, electronics, and software in a printing machine.
To learn more about HEIDELBERG’s achievements and future goals, visit the company’s Investor Relations portal and Press Lounge at www.heidelberg.com. For further information, please contact Corporate Communications at Thomas.Fichtl@heidelberg.com or Investor Relations at Sascha.Donat@heidelberg.com.
Disclaimer:
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.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.