Just a few days before the opening of Drupa 2024, Heidelberg has presented its preliminary results for the 2023/2024 financial year. The German printing press manufacturer succeeded in maintaining stable sales at around ?2.4 billion and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 7.2% despite difficult economic and geopolitical conditions and increases in material, energy and personnel costs.
Free cash flow excluding exceptional items reached around 50 million euros, the highest cash flow without exceptional charges for over 10 years.
Financial targets achieved thanks to 250 measures and solid order intake
Ludwin Monz, CEO of the Heidelberg Group, states: "We were able to achieve our targets for the year in a difficult economic environment. Heidelberg's financial performance was solid. Our value creation program is an important element in positioning Heidelberg for the future."
As part of this program, Heidelberg has identified and implemented over 250 measures. In the 2023/2024 financial year, these measures offset the negative impact of lower production volumes and higher costs on the financial results.
Order intake was also "solid" this year. Although this figure is some 6% down on the previous year, it is above the industry average, Heidelberg points out.
Drupa, a major event
Heidelberg has prepared several innovations for the major graphic arts event, Drupa 2024, which kicks off at the end of the month in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Automation and digitization of the value chain, as well as solutions for more resource-efficient production, will be at the heart of the stand's printing and post-processing innovations.
The flagship machine will be the new Speedmaster XL 106 from the Peak Performance generation which will be presented for the first time at the show. Featuring cloud-based functions, it will be equipped with even more intelligent AI software and fully automated printing plate management.
In the future, Heidelberg intends to rely even more on its broad, established customer base and its globally organized sales and services, and to develop new market segments.
