"In a challenging environment, we have made progress in all key business areas, both in terms of revenues and profits," said Ludwin Monz, Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Heidelberg, at the publication of the preliminary results of the Group's fiscal year 2021/22 (April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022). "The high order backlog resulting from the notable market recovery in the past fiscal year provides a good basis for sales in the new fiscal year."
With sales of 2.183 billion euros, the German printing press manufacturer has increased its sales by approximately 14% compared to the previous year, which was particularly affected by the effects of the covid-19 pandemic.
The German group founded more than 170 years ago is also pleased with the 23% increase in orders received 2.454 billion.
With the increase in sales and a reduction in costs, the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margin reached 160 million Euro in the year under review (previous year: 95 million Euro) and the EBITDA margin amounted to approximately 7.3 percent (previous year: 5.0 percent).
As expected, the preliminary net income after tax has improved significantly 33 million in fiscal year 2021/22 (-43 million Euro in 2020/21).
900 million euros in orders for printing equipment
Both the commercial and packaging printing businesses recorded a significant increase in orders. These orders increased for almost all products and in all regions, with investments in new presses being the main driver: as of March 31, 2022, the order book for these two sectors amounts to approximately 900 million euros (compared to 636 million Euro in the previous year). This is the highest level for at least 10 years.
A successful entry into the e-mobility market
The group's recent e-mobility business, which includes charging stations for electric vehicles (known as wallboxes), is growing strongly. Sales of these charging stations jumped by more than 120% to around 50 million euros at the end of the year and the operating margin increased significantly.
Although a new entrant to the automotive supplier market, Heidelberg is positioned today as "one of the leading suppliers in the industry, with over 165,000 units sold."
Objective: to strengthen the printing activity
"Heidelberg has done very well to emerge from the low point of the covid-19 pandemic. We will continue to work on strengthening our core business in the printing sector. This will enable us to expand into new markets at the same time." emphasizes Ludwin Monz.
However, Ludwin Monz remains vigilant in the face of these satisfactory results: "The effects of the war in Ukraine are currently challenging us and most other companies. We have to deal with economic uncertainty and significant increases in raw material and energy prices."
"In recent years, we have significantly reduced our fixed costs, become free cash flow positive (88 million, Editor's note) and we have completely eliminated net financial debt. This benefits us today in these uncertain times", adds Marcus A. Wassenberg, group CFO. "However, we must not rest on our laurels and must continue to work to increase our profitability."
