Koenig & Bauer records its best start to a year in two years. The German printing press manufacturer started 2026 with a 21.4% increase in order intake in the first quarter, to 297.6 million euros. Sales also rose by 3.2% to ?260.2 million, and order backlog exceeded ?1 billion, at ?1.008 billion.
Stephen Kimmich, Managing Director of Koenig & Bauer, talks about "a strong signal of confidence from customers" and believes that this increase in orders "resilience in a difficult market. For Group CFO Alexander Blum, this order backlog of over ?1 billion is a major contribution to the Group's success "a high level of visibility for the coming months.
However, the German group continues to face an unstable market, marked by the global economic slowdown and geopolitical tensions. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) came to -2.9 million euros. This result includes ?6.6 million in charges relating to the scheduled closure at the end of May of the Albert-Frankenthal site, which produces rollers and cylindrical parts for various industries.
At the same time, the company is pursuing its Impact transformation plan, designed to simplify its organization and improve competitiveness.
Strong growth in industrial and digital activities
The Special & New Technologies segment (which includes banknotes, security, coding, metal, glass, flexo and rotary inkjet) posted the Group's strongest growth. Sales rose by 24.1% to 134 million euros, while order intake jumped by 40.6% to 114.7 million euros.
This business also returned to positive operating profit, with EBITDA of 4.1 million euros, compared with a loss of 8.1 million euros a year earlier.
In this segment, Koenig & Bauer has just launched the new CI XD Pro flexo press, as well as several applications based around the RotaJet.
Offset segment under pressure from the European market
Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems recorded a 12.4% increase in orders, to 194.3 million euros. Sales amounted to 133.4 million euros, while operating EBITDA was -8.4 million euros. Koenig & Bauer points out that these results remain "influenced by last year's lower level of orders", but also by "pressure on investments and prices in Europe".
The Group continues to develop its hybrid offset and digital offerings for folding carton.
The ExpoPrint trade fair in São Paulo also boosted sales of Rapida offset presses in South America.
Industrial coding, a strategic activity
Koenig & Bauer retains its industrial coding business within the Group. The manufacturer believes that this market will continue to grow with the development of GS1 2D codes and digital product passports from 2027 onwards.
Finally, Koenig & Bauer confirms its forecasts for 2026, with stable sales of around ?1.3 billion and operating EBITDA close to ?80 million.
