The following information relates to the continuing operations of
the Heidelberg Group. These include the Press, Postpress and
Financial Services divisions. The Digital Division was sold and
deconsolidated on May 1, 2004, the Web Systems Division on August
6, 2004. All figures for the previous year mentioned in this press
information have been adjusted to ensure that the figures stated
provide a basis for comparison.
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Sales up 12 percent to 3.586 billion Euro
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Operating result 277 million Euro, or 7.7 percent of
sales
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Net profit more than doubled to 135 million Euro
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Proposed dividend of 0.65 Euro per share more than
doubled
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Prospects for 06/07: Expected increase in sales of around
five percent and operating result of around ten percent of
sales
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) increased sales
and earnings substantially in financial year 2005/2006 (April 1,
2005 to March 31, 2006). "Heidelberg's figures for the
last financial year prove we have continued to increase our
profitability," said Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberger
Druckmaschinen AG. "Earnings per share rose from 0.64 Euro to
1.58 Euro. The planned dividend of 0.65 Euro per share - more than
double the amount for the previous year - means our shareholders
will also benefit from the positive development in the company."
Sales by the Heidelberg Group during the period under review
grew twelve percent to 3.586 billion Euro (previous year: 3.207
billion Euro).
Incoming orders in the financial year ending March 31, 2006
were 3.605 billion Euro (previous year, including orders received
at drupa: 3.508 billion Euro) and were therefore around three
percent higher than last year's already high figure and well
above expectations. At around one billion Euro, the order backlog
at March 31, 2006 was on a par with the previous year's very
high figures.
In the period under review, the Heidelberg Group improved the
previous year's operating
result by 31 percent to 277 million Euro (continuing
operations previous year: 211 million Euro). This produced an EBIT
yield of 7.7 percent of sales in line with expectations. At 135
million Euro, net profit more than doubled in comparison to the
previous year (previous year, including discontinuing operations:
59 million Euro). This corresponds to a return on sales after tax
of 3.8 percent. At 149 million Euro, free cash flow was above
expectations - and already included the transfer of pension funding
provisions amounting to 124 million Euro. "We expect the
positive trend in the print media industry to continue for
2006," said Dr. Herbert Meyer, the company's CFO.
"The new financial year got off to a very satisfying start,
thanks to positive trade show activity at Ipex in April and several
large orders from Asia. We anticipate further increases in sales
and operating result for the full financial year 2006/2007."
As of March 31, 2006, the Heidelberg Group had a workforce of
18,716 worldwide (previous year: 18,679).
Results in the Press and Postpress Divisions
In the Press Division (offset printing), sales in the
financial year just closed rose by approx. 12 percent to 3.142
billion Euro. Incoming orders in the period under review increased
by two percent on the previous year to around 3.146 billion Euro.
The operating profit for 2005/2006 was 248 million Euro (previous
year: 187 million Euro).
In the Postpress Division (finishing) sales in the period
under review rose by around 14 percent to 398 million Euro.
Incoming orders increased by 15 percent to 413 million Euro. The
division's operating result for the period under review was
minus three million Euro (previous year: minus two million Euro).
The operating result in the Postpress Division was burdened by a
one-off goodwill depreciation of 6.5 million Euro which did not
affect payments.
Sales in all regions were up on the previous year. Incoming
orders also grew, except in the Eastern Europe and North America
regions.
Proposed dividend doubles to 0.65 Euro per share
The Management Board and the Supervisory Board will be
proposing to the Annual General Meeting on July 20, 2006 that a
dividend of 0.65 Euro per share - double the amount for the
previous year - be paid for financial year 2005/2006.
Prospects for financial year 2006/2007: Expected growth in sales
of around five percent, operating result set to be around ten
percent of sales
For financial year 2006/2007, the company expects growth in
sales of around five percent on financial year 2005/2006.
Heidelberg plans to boost the result of operating activities to
around ten percent of sales in the current financial year.
Other dates:
The Annual General Meeting of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
will be held at the Congress-Center Rosengarten in Mannheim,
Germany, on July 20, 2006.
The scheduled publication date for the annual accounts for
the first quarter of 2006/2007 is August 1, 2006.
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