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Heidelberg posts positive results

Heidelberg CEO Gerold Linzbach: Long-term profitability in sight
 

Heidelberg has ended the latest quarter with a positive net result after taxes, and its net result before taxes after nine months (April 1 to December 31, 2015) reached the break-even point. This means the company is on track to once again record a positive net result after taxes for financial year 2015/2016 as a whole and secure a long-term return to profitability.

Developments during the current financial year prove the success of the realignment implemented by Heidelberg. The main focal points for the future will be further developing the growing digital business and continuing to expand service business. The Heidelberg Services segment already accounted for almost half of Group sales after nine months.

“We’ve made good progress with our goal of ensuring long-term profitability at Heidelberg. Our new portfolio is more closely geared toward stable market segments, is more profitable, and creates the conditions for further growth,” said Heidelberg CEO Gerold Linzbach.

The successful integration of the newly acquired PSG Group also made a substantial contribution to the higher sales. At a regional level, sales were well up in North America and Europe, while Eastern Europe and Latin America remained stable. Sales after nine months are also encouraging in the Asia/Pacific region. In the third quarter, however, the very subdued market development in China was reflected by a fall in orders. Regional weaknesses, especially in China, mean the Heidelberg Equipment segment has not yet been able to reach the expected EBITDA target margin of 4 to 6 percent.

Heidelberg at drupa

At the drupa trade show in May this year, Heidelberg will be presenting smart services and networked products required for further industry digitisation. The digitised print shop of the future will feature automated, cost-optimised production processes and equipment that works almost entirely independently and autonomously. Over 10,000 presses have already been installed and networked worldwide, creating the basis for innovative data-based services.

Heidelberg will also be joining forces with its cooperation partner Fujifilm to unveil a new, highly productive inkjet-based digital printing system for industrial applications. It is the only supplier to offer customers the opportunity to run offset and digital technologies in parallel based on a user-friendly, integrated process.

Boosted by healthy order books, Heidelberg is aiming for sales growth of 2 to 4 percent after adjustment for exchange rate movements in the current financial year 2015/2016. 

 
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