Despite a challenging macroeconomic climate, business developed robustly, and profitability improved significantly at HEIDELBERG during the first half of financial year 2025/2026 (April 1 to September 30, 2025).
Half-year sales increased to €985m, up around 8% on the previous year’s figure of €915m. Europe and Asia saw particularly positive developments during this period. The second quarter contributed sales of €519m, far higher than the figure for the first quarter (€466m) – and despite negative exchange rate effects amounting to around €12m compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Thanks to the healthy order situation, the company is expecting sales in the second half of the current financial year to be higher than in the first half-year, despite continuing negative exchange rate effects.
The adjusted operating result (EBITDA) was double the previous year’s figure. It increased to €63m (€31m), which corresponds to an EBITDA margin of 6.4% (3.4 %). Strict cost discipline and the measures set out in the plan for the future have had a positive impact. For example, production costs and total working costs improved compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. Cost-cutting resulting from the plan for the future, especially on the basis of contractual agreements, will continue to have a positive effect in subsequent quarters and years.
Incoming orders after six months remained stable at €1,111m, following the previous financial year’s strong first half-year due to drupa (€1,273m). The incoming orders figure for the second quarter was €551m (€571m). The US government’s complex tariff regulations led to some orders being postponed, but the company’s success at the Labelexpo sent out a strong message. With orders running into the double-digit million-euro range, Heidelberg is underlining the strategic importance and growth potential of its label printing business.
