Heidelberg CEO to step down in April

Rainer Hunsdörfer, CEO of press giant Heidelberg, will leave his role in April, and is being succeeded by industry outsider Dr Ludwin Monz, currently chairman of the board at medical instrument maker Zeiss.

Hunsdörfer has been in the role for the past five years, possibly the most challenging period in the company’s history, as printers around the world were under the cosh, and which saw the company go through radical restructuring, multiple divestments, and of course having to navigate Covid.

Heidelberg expects to be back in the black this year, with sales of “at least €2bn”, up by five per cent on this year. Hunsdörfer leaves a slimmed down business, which is focused on manufacturing B1 and B2 offset presses, finishing solutions, and developing digital workflow systems. It has also developed a successful new business focused on electric charging for e-cars.

Its share price has risen strongly over the past 12 months, up from what was a record low of €47c a year ago to €2.11 today.

Monz has been at Zeiss for 25 years, has a doctorate in physics and an MBA. He has been ab oard member since 2007 , and chairman since 2010. He said, "For me, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG is a flagship of German mechanical engineering. I see enormous potential for the future in the broad expertise of its employees, its widely branched global organisation, and its long-established brand."

Hunsdörfer, who was also an industry outsider, and took over when former CEO Gerold Linzbach suffered a stroke, said, “These have been challenging years here at Heidelberg. We successfully defied the pandemic and strategically realigned Heidelberg through our successful transformation. I am proud to be part of the Heidelberg family. I wish my successor Ludwin Monz a good start to the new financial year and continued success."

The Heidelberg management board comprises just two people; the CEO and the CFO, Marcus Wassenberg, who has just had his contract extended to 2027.