Preliminary figures for the 2000/2001 fiscal year - profit
exceeds expectations
Sales at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg)
rose in the year ending March 31, 2001 by more than 15
percent to 5.3 billion Euro (previous year: 4.6 billion Euro).
This impressive result means that the company has further extended
its leading position in the graphic arts industry. "With this
new record, we have shown that we are by far the world's
favorite business partner for manufacturers of professional print
media", stated Bernhard Schreier, Chairman of the Management
Board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. Incoming orders exhibited
pleasing growth in all divisions, standing at around 5.5 billion
Euro. This was 18 percent higher than the comparable figure
for the previous year, which had also been characterized by strong
growth (just under 4.7 billion Euro).
"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 aroun
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 2000/2001
fiscal year at its Annual Press Conference on July 3, 2001 (10
a.m., Print Media Academy, Heidelberg).
For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Communications
Thomas Fichtl
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 47 47
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 69
E-Mail:
thomas.fichtl@heidelberg.com