The results recorded by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg)
for the 2001/2002 fiscal year ended March 31, 2002 were in line
with expectations. Sales by the Heidelberg Group of around five
billion Euro were some five percent down on the record level of the
previous year (5.3 billion Euro). The operating profit for the year
was 356 million Euro (previous year: 506 million Euro) and the
preliminary annual net profits 201 million Euro (previous year: 283
million Euro). "We have thus reached the targets for the
2001/2002 fiscal year that we set ourselves last October",
stated Bernhard Schreier, Heidelberg's Chief Executive Officer
. "The drop in sales and profits has been shaped by the world
economic slowdown, which has been particularly prevalent in the
US." Mr. Schreier nevertheless added that he was satisfied
with the company's progress in what are difficult times.
Orders received for the 2001/2002 fiscal year fell just short
of 4.6 billion Euro (previous year: 5.5 billion Euro), with levels
stabilizing in the fourth quarter. "Orders received at Ipex in
Birmingham in April 2002 were worth around 260 million Euro and
gave us a good start to the new fiscal year", explained Chief
Financial Officer Dr. Herbert Meyer. Nevertheless, he stated, the
world economy was still unlikely to experience any tangible
recovery before the second half of 2002 and Heidelberg as well as
the entire industry would then start feeling the benefit.
As of March 31, 2002, the Heidelberg Group had a workforce of
some 25,500 worldwide.
Different rates of progress in the divisions and regions
Sales by the Digital division incl. Prepress fell by some
15 percent to 648 million Euro (previous year: 763 million Euro).
The drop in sales and the further expansion of the sales and
service network in the future growth market of color digital
printing resulted in the operating loss increasing from 64 million
Euro to 107 million Euro.
Sales in the Web Systems division were 691 million Euro
(previous year: 801 million Euro), almost 14 percent below the
previous year's figure. The decline in sales and the
restructuring measures carried out in the US contributed to an
operating loss of 122 million Euro. In the fourth quarter, this
division's operating result reached break-even.
Sales in the Sheetfed division were stable at 3.3 billion
Euro. The operating profit climbed five percent to 569 million Euro
(previous year: 543 million Euro).
The Finishing division recorded sales for the year of 378
million Euro (previous year: 408 million Euro). This decrease in
sales impacted on the operating profit which fell from 27 million
Euro to 16 million Euro.
Sales in some regions were strongly affected by the cooldown
in the global economy. Customers' reluctance to invest was
particularly apparent in the NAFTA region. As a result, Heidelberg
Group sales in this region fell by 18 percent to 1.5 billion Euro
(previous year: 1.8 billion Euro). In contrast, sales in Central
and Eastern Europe remained at nearly the same high level as the
previous year. Business in the Asia/Pacific region (especially
China), Central and South America and the Middle East region was
very pleasing, with sales up by as much as 17 percent.
Heidelberg will announce further details of the 2001/2002
fiscal year at its Annual Investors' and Analysts'
Conference on July 2, 2002 in Frankfurt.
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