SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Jan. 09, 2025 – Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is entering its anniversary year with a dynamic growth strategy. Marking its 175th anniversary on March 11th, 2025, the company has evolved from its humble beginnings as a bell foundry in Frankenthal, Germany, to a global leader in technology and complete solutions for printing and packaging applications. HEIDELBERG is ready to tackle future challenges head-on with a clear vision for expansion.
Growth Strategy: Targeting Over €300 Million in Revenue Potential
"To expand our market position, we are increasingly tapping into growth potential in packaging, digital printing, and the software and lifecycle business within our core business," says Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG. "We will also further expand our offerings in the growing 'Green Technologies' market. This includes key areas such as high-precision mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, charging infrastructure and software, or new hydrogen technologies." HEIDELBERG sees a growth potential of more than €300 million in revenue by the 2028/2029 fiscal year through these strategic initiatives, while simultaneously increasing performance density and efficiency.
Key Growth Drivers
- Packaging: HEIDELBERG is capitalizing on the steadily growing global demand for packaging. The end-customer market for packaging has grown by over 60 percent worldwide in the past ten years. In collaboration with Solenis, HEIDELBERG is addressing the global trend of shifting from plastic and film to paper-based packaging, offering solutions for printing recyclable packaging, primarily for the food industry. The company already generates more than 50 percent of its revenue in the packaging segment, with a clear upward trend.
- Digital Printing: HEIDELBERG is seizing opportunities in the growing industrial digital printing market. According to market estimates, the global digital printing market accessible to HEIDELBERG, including service and consumables, will grow from approximately €5 billion today to €7.5 billion by 2029. HEIDELBERG has significantly expanded its offerings, including through its cooperation with Canon. This will significantly increase sales of digital printing solutions, with incoming orders already confirming this trend starting next fiscal year.
- International Expansion: HEIDELBERG sees its strong international presence in around 170 countries worldwide, with one of the largest global sales and service networks, as a lever for increased revenue growth. The company will further expand this internationalization, particularly in growth markets such as Asia, the USA, and emerging economies. HEIDELBERG is particularly well-positioned for this in China, thanks to its local production and partnership with MK Masterwork. Over 85 percent of its business is already generated outside of Germany.
- Expanding Industrial Business: Another focus is on HEIDELBERG's industrial business to develop new product areas, markets, and industries. The company has extensive capabilities, expertise, and resources already used outside the printing industry, particularly in high-precision mechanical engineering, the automotive industry and electromobility, and hydrogen. Additionally, the company is increasingly offering its expertise and installed capacity to other companies to efficiently industrialize or manufacture their products.
175 Years of Innovation and Reliability
For 175 years, HEIDELBERG has shaped the printing industry with innovation, top quality, and maximum reliability. Throughout its history, the company has repeatedly set new standards with groundbreaking developments such as the "Original Heidelberger Tiegel" and the "Speedmaster" model series for sheetfed offset printing. "175 years of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen is a strong testament to consistency, innovative strength, and future viability," says Jürgen Otto. "Due to the impressive achievements of the past 175 years, the company, with its current market position, employee expertise, and global customer relationships, is looking forward to further growth in the coming years."
Anniversary Celebrations Throughout the Year
HEIDELBERG will celebrate its anniversary year together with customers, employees, and partners with numerous events and activities. A festive week is planned for the summer at the company headquarters in Wiesloch-Walldorf in the redesigned demonstration center - the Home of Print - including an anniversary celebration with guests from around the world, including customers, suppliers, partners, and representatives from politics and society. Family days are planned for employees at individual locations. There will also be an anniversary magazine reviewing the company's history and looking ahead to the future.
With around 9,500 employees worldwide, production facilities in several countries and regions, including China and the USA, and the industry's densest sales and service network, HEIDELBERG is a true global player and world market leader from Germany. "Our history impressively demonstrates how entrepreneurship, technical competence, and the genuine creativity of our employees can sustainably shape a company and an entire industry over such a long period," Otto continues.
For more information please visit www.heidelberg.com.