According to preliminary calculations (unaudited), press manufacturer Heidelberg achieved its own forecast for sales and EBITDA margin for the past financial year 2021/22 (April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022) and returned to profitability. At €2.183 billion, sales were around 14% higher than the previous year, thus meeting the target of at least €2.1 billion. The reporting period showed a clear recovery from the previous year, which had been particularly hard hit by the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic. The noticeable improvement in the investment climate was reflected in particular in the increase in incoming orders received by more than €450 million year-on-year to €2.454 billion.
Both commercial printing and packaging printing recorded significant year-on-year growth in the past financial year, with the increase in commercial printing being stronger due to the particularly weak comparative period. Demand picked up across almost all products and in all regions, with investments in new presses being the main driver. As of March 31, 2022, the order backlog stood at around € 900 million – the highest level in more than 10 years (previous year was € 636 million).
“In a challenging environment, we have grown in all core business areas, both in terms of sales and earnings,” said Dr. Ludwin Monz, Chairman of Heidelberg’s Executive Board. “The high order backlog resulting from the noticeable market recovery in the past fiscal year provides a good foundation for sales in the new fiscal year. However, the effects of the war in Ukraine are currently presenting us, like most other companies, with challenges. We have to deal with the economic uncertainty and the significant increase in raw material and energy prices. We will continue to work on strengthening our core business in the printing sector. This will free us up to expand into new markets at the same time.”