Heidelberg affirms its robust commencement, maintaining its projected annual revenue for the fiscal year 2025-26.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) Kicks Off 2025/26 Financial Year with Increased Sales and Strategic Defense Sector Entry
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) has commenced the financial year 2025/26 on a positive note, reporting increased sales and improved profitability. The company's sales in the first quarter of 2025/26 reached € 466 million, marking a significant increase from € 403 million in the same period last year.
The improvement in adjusted EBITDA was observed across all segments. Digital Solutions & Lifecycle sales remained steady, totalling € 241 million, while the Print & Packaging Equipment segment saw a substantial increase of 42 percent, with sales reaching € 211 million. Sales in Europe and Asia specifically demonstrated a positive development during this period. Packaging printing continued to be a growth driver for HEIDELBERG's business.
In a positive development, the net result after taxes improved to € -11 million, compared to the previous year. The adjusted operating result (EBITDA) also showed a significant improvement, reaching € 20 million compared to € -9 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. As a result, the adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 4.4 percent, a stark contrast to -2.3 percent in the equivalent quarter of the previous year.
However, incoming orders in the first quarter of 2025/26 saw a decrease, with € 559 million compared to € 701 million in the previous year. The free cash flow after three months was negative but improved compared to the previous year. The company attributes this improvement to its cost-cutting measures, which have had a positive impact on profitability in the current financial year.
In a significant move, HEIDELBERG has entered the defense sector through a strategic partnership with VINCORION Advanced Systems GmbH. Under a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding, HEIDELBERG will develop, industrialize, and manufacture power control and distribution systems for VINCORION, marking HEIDELBERG’s first concrete defense project and expanding its industrial capabilities into security-relevant technologies.
This partnership leverages VINCORION’s over 60 years of expertise in advanced power systems and HEIDELBERG’s strong industrialization and manufacturing depth in Germany. It aims to enhance technological sovereignty and strengthen domestic supply chains for defense industries in Germany, contributing to greater technological independence and a more resilient industrial base.
For HEIDELBERG, this strategic move signifies a diversification from its traditional printing technology roots towards becoming a more diversified industrial technology company. The partnership is expected to become a foundation for long-term growth, increasing HEIDELBERG’s presence in the defense sector and security-critical production fields and positioning the company as a reliable partner for complex, safety-relevant products that require rapid scaling capabilities.
As of April 1, 2025, HEIDELBERG started reporting on the Print & Packaging Equipment, Digital Solutions & Lifecycle, and HEIDELBERG Technology segments. The company is planning to use its core technology in control and power electronics to open up new business areas, including the defense sector.
Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG, expressed confidence about the prospects for the entire financial year. The full-year forecast for financial year 2025/26 is confirmed, with sales expected to be around € 2,350 million and the EBITDA margin adjusted for special items predicted to rise to 8 percent.
[1] Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG Press Release [2] VINCORION Press Release [4] Ainvest News Article
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) has expanded its industrial capabilities into security-relevant technologies by entering the defense sector through a strategic partnership with VINCORION Advanced Systems GmbH. This collaboration leverages HEIDELBERG's technology in control and power electronics, aiming to increase their presence in the defense sector and position themselves as a reliable partner for complex, safety-relevant products that require rapid scaling capabilities.
The strategic partnership with VINCORION marks a diversification for HEIDELBERG, moving away from their traditional printing technology roots towards becoming a more diversified industrial technology company.
