On the back of its two major acquisitions in the past month, the world’s biggest offset press manufacturer says it is strengthening its core business while opening up new growth areas.
Speaking at the company’s AGM CEO Jurgen Otto said the Heidelberg was ‘visibly moving forward’. He said, “We are creating the conditions for Heidelberg to become more successful, valuable, and resilient over the long term.
“The large number of projects, partnerships, acquisitions, and new ventures demonstrates the speed with which we are transforming Heidelberg into an integrated technology group.”
In the last month Heidelberg acquired its former rival manroland Sheetfed’s service and spare parts business, and acquired the Polar finishing solutions business.
Heidelberg’s revenue in the last financial year was €2.29bn ($3.74bn). Japan has been a bright spot for the company in the last financial year, with market share up by nearly a third, while on the counter side sales to the US took a hit, thanks to the tariffs implemented.
Otto said, “In fiscal year 2025/26, we made significant progress in advancing the strategic direction of Heidelberg. Through HD Advanced Technologies, we are tapping into attractive, less cyclical markets, thereby creating additional growth prospects for the company. At the same time, we have further strengthened our position in our core business by expanding our role as a systems integrator and through targeted M&A activities. This enables us to offer our customers highly automated end-to-end solutions in packaging and commercial printing. Through consistent cost discipline and best-cost production, we are laying the groundwork for further margin improvements and the sustainable, successful development of Heidelberg.”
Otto said the manroland service and spare parts business will support 3000 manroland customers worldwide, which includes a significant number in Australia. He also said he expects the business to contribute positively to revenue and profitability in the near term.
Heidelberg is increasing its move to a lower cost manufacturing base, ramping up its production capacity in China, and will open a new production facility for finishing solutions in the southern European country of North Macedonia, which will be known as Heidelberg Industrial Solutions.
The company is looking to build on its diversification strategy, with its HD Advanced Technologies business working in automation, robotics, software and AI, energy management, and security and defence systems. It is currently testing anti-drone technology in Ukraine.