Heidelberg increases operating profitability in third quarter – high order backlog provides strong starting point for coming financial year

In the third quarter of financial year 2021/2022 (October 1 to December 31, 2021), the order situation at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) recovered further still. This and the continuing positive effects from the Group’s transformation led to a clear improvement in the operating result, with incoming orders in the third quarter increasing by 16 percent to €643 million. After nine months, this figure was €1,888 million, which is 33 percent higher than in the previous year. The higher order backlog of €951 million at the end of the quarter even exceeded the pre-pandemic level. Sales were also up on the previous year – by 20 percent at €582 million for the third quarter and by 21 percent at €1,565 million after nine months. EBITDA rose significantly in the third quarter, by 36 percent to €57 million. EBITDA after nine months amounted to €132 million, which is 21 percent higher than in the previous year. The operating improvement was primarily due to an increased business volume and better margins as a result of the transformation. These successes are particularly impressive in view of the fact that the availability of parts is creating big challenges across the industry. Heidelberg has, however, largely managed to overcome these challenges by approving alternative components and coordinating closely with suppliers on a day-to-day basis. The company’s large vertical range of manufacture is a further advantage in this regard. With the supply chain situation still critical, the focus remains on ensuring the availability of parts.

“The success of our efforts to transform Heidelberg is becoming ever clearer. Our core business is doing well thanks to our high level of innovation and our focus on customer benefits, and our digital business models are making a key contribution, too. What’s more, the dynamic growth in demand for electromobility solutions continues unabated. In this sector, we are systematically pressing ahead with our expansion outside Germany and, in the future, we will continue the strategic development of our business model through acquisitions and collaboration. Overall, we are well positioned for the future. Moreover, the healthy order backlog creates a sound basis as we look toward the start of financial year 2022/2023,” comments Rainer Hundsdörfer, CEO of Heidelberg.