Koenig & Bauer AG has reported a pleasing order intake despite a persistently challenging market together with operating figures affected by seasonal factors in the first quarter of 2025. The quarter was characterised by the new segment structure, significant strategic initiatives and initial successes of the ‘Spotlight’ focus programme.
Despite the global uncertainty triggered by the US tariffs, order intake was up, rising by 0.9% as of 31 March 2025 to €245.2m over the previous year’s figure of €242.9m. At €1,032.8m, the order backlog reached the highest first-quarter figure in the company’s recent history, representing an increase of 14.6%.
The Group revenue of €252.2m came close to the previous year’s figure of €253.2m. This mainly reflected seasonal factors, primarily in the Special & New Technologies (S&T) segment. The muted start to the year typical of the mechanical engineering sector is particularly evident in Group EBIT, which fell year-on-year to €-14.2m (previous year: €-10.2m). This was due to the aforementioned seasonality, which together caused a negative volume and mix effect of €1.2m. In addition, non-operating negative extraordinary items in connection with the ‘Spotlight’ focus programme amounted to €-2.8m and weighed on earnings as expected. Although ‘Spotlight’ achieved the planned savings, temporary effects of around €5m, such as exchange rate fluctuations (around €2m) and project postponements with reporting-date cut-off effects, exerted pressure on earnings. However, these effects will be offset over the course of the year. Operating EBIT came to €-11.4m (previous year: €-10.2m), corresponding to an operating EBIT margin of -4.5% (previous year: -4.0%). After net interest expense, earnings before taxes (EBT) came to €-20.6m (previous year: €-16.8m). After income taxes of €-2.6m (previous year: €0.2m), the Group thus posted a net loss of €-23.2m (previous year: €-16.6m).
“The underlying conditions remain challenging – geopolitically and economically as well as in terms of industry and trade policy. It is therefore all the more important for us to set the right accents with our strategic development,” says Dr Andreas Pleßke, CEO. “With our ‘Spotlight’ focus programme, we have taken the right path, and the measures that have been implemented are yielding the planned savings. Koenig & Bauer has always demonstrated agility and adaptability throughout its history. This entrepreneurial DNA is once again confirmed with the implementation of ‘Spotlight’.”
