After nine months of the 2025/26 financial year (from April 1 to December 31, 2025), the evolution of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERGThe company's performance is in line with expectations. It has achieved a considerable improvement in profitability and is also decisively driving its strategic transformation, venturing into new business areas with strong growth potential. Despite the challenging environment, sales after three quarters reached €1.602 million, a 6,1% increase compared to €1.509 million in the same period of the previous year, despite the negative effects of foreign exchange rates, which amounted to approximately €44 million compared to the same period of the previous year. The business in Europe and in the packaging and label printing equipment sector performed particularly well during this period. At €617 million, third-quarter sales were approximately 4% higher than in the same quarter of the previous year and continued the quarter-on-quarter sales growth trend to date in the current fiscal year.
Adjusted operating profit (EBITDA) after nine months increased significantly to €114 million (adjusted figure for the same period last year: €86 million), and the adjusted EBITDA margin improved considerably to 7,1% (equivalent to 5,7% last year). The implementation of the personnel and efficiency measures outlined in the future plan is having a clear impact.
New and growing markets
The company is systematically exploring new markets in the areas of defense, security, energy, charging infrastructure, and industrial system solutions. A key aspect of this process is the integration of all relevant activities under HD Advanced Technologies GmbH. This further strategic development is building a stronger future for HEIDELBERG and opening up long-term growth opportunities.
In the HEIDELBERG Technology segment, sales after nine months amounted to €42 million, slightly higher than the €41 million of the previous year. While sales growth is currently moderate, the strategic measures implemented lay the foundation for HEIDELBERG Technology to make a significant contribution to the overall business. In particular, the ongoing strategy of expansion into new sectors and the creation of new business models generate expectations of a positive sales trend in the coming years.
“The measures implemented confirm our growth plan,” he states. Jürgen Otto, CEO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. “Both strategically and operationally, HEIDELBERG is in a privileged position to actively refine this plan and take advantage of additional opportunities in dynamic future markets,” he adds.
The core business lays the foundation for transformation
While new business areas are opening up, the company's core business is also experiencing solid growth. In the Printing and Packaging Equipment segment, HEIDELBERG benefits from its strong position in the packaging and label printing market. During the reporting period, sales in this segment reached €804 million (previous year: €705 million). In the Digital Solutions and Lifecycle segment, the company continues to expand its role as a systems integrator, offering hybrid printing, software, and services solutions as part of a digital ecosystem. In this segment, HEIDELBERG achieved sales of €755 million in the first nine months (previous year: €763 million).
“Our strength lies in the intelligent combination of printing equipment, software, and service operations,” he says. Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer“By specifically expanding our digital printing portfolio and launching new high-performance systems like the Jetfire 75, we are generating greater growth potential, both in our core business and in others,” he emphasizes.
The company expects sales of approximately €2.350 billion in fiscal year 2025/26 (2024/25: €2.280 billion). Given the significant exchange rate effects, the persistent weakness of the macroeconomic environment, and market uncertainty, the company assumes that the increase in adjusted EBITDA margin will be at the lower end of the forecast range, up to 8% (previous year: 7,1%).
Caption: A team from the Hoifu Group, gathered around Chairman Ou Shun Chou, with representatives from HEIDELBERG, including Steven Hou, General Manager of Southern China, and Michael Nilges, Managing Director of the Shanghai plant, at the HEIDELBERG plant in Shanghai.
