"The results have exceeded our expectations. We have increased
our operating profit by ten percent from 463 million Euro to 506
million Euro", explained Dr. Herbert Meyer, CFO of
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. The Heidelberg Group's
provisional net profit increased from 251 million Euro to 283
million Euro after adjustment and, after accounting for special
influences, totaled 343 million Euro. The non-recurring item of
around 60 million Euro net (around 100 million Euro before tax) is
due to the use of new accounting procedures for special investment
funds.
In contrast to previous years, special funds are no longer
listed in the historical acquisition costs of around 280 million
Euro. Instead, the shares, marketable securities, liquid cash and
bonds held by the funds are listed at their market values of around
380 million Euro. The earnings per share rose from 2.91 Euro to
3.29 Euro after adjustment.
The number of staff employed by the Heidelberg Group rose
from 24,177 to 25,936 (as at March 31), primarily due to the
extension of the service and sales network.
Impressive double-figure growth rates for divisions and regions
In the 2000/2001 fiscal year, sales in all divisions were
influenced by the highly favorable economic development and by the
high number of incoming orders at drupa in May 2000.
Sales in the Digital division rose by just under 16 percent
from 659 million Euro to some 763 million Euro. The Sheetfed
division (sheetfed offset presses) also continued its success
story, with sales increasing from 2.8 billion Euro to 3.3 billion
Euro - a growth of almost 17 percent. Heidelberg's Web division
achieved sales of 801 million Euro which, when compared to 695
million Euro last year, represents a growth of more than 15
percent. In the Finishing division, sales rose from 398 million
Euro to 408 million Euro.
Heidelberg experienced high demand from all regions. Despite
the economic slowdown in the second half of the last fiscal year,
sales in the NAFTA region rose by just under 16 percent to 1.8
billion Euro. In Central Europe, Heidelberg once again reported
high sales, achieving a figure of 1.9 billion Euro. The Middle
East/Africa, Asia/Pacific and Central & South America regions
demonstrated sales increases well in excess of 30 percent compared
with last year.
Asia/Pacific achieved almost one billion Euro in sales,
making it the third largest region. The highest percentage growth
was seen in Eastern Europe, with sales in the region growing by 53
percent to 291 million Euro.
Prospects for the future: further increase in sales expected
"The economic slowdown affecting certain parts of
the world has so far had hardly any effect on our business. Because
of this, we expect a further increase in sales over the coming
months", commented Bernhard Schreier, speaking about the
prospects for the current fiscal year. Heidelberg will announce
further details of the 2000/01 fiscal year at its Annual Accounts
Press Conference on July 3, 2001 (10.00 a.m., Print Media Academy,
Heidelberg).
For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Investor Relations
Dirk Kaliebe
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 60 20
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 60 61
E-mail:
dirk.kaliebe@heidelberg.com