This year, HEIDELBERG celebrates 175 years of company history, and also 20 years since the founding of our China production site, Heidelberg Graphics Equipment Shanghai (HGES) which marked a key chapter in our global story.
Swipe through to revisit the moments that shaped HGES into today’s hub of innovation, excellence, and international collaboration.
Needless to say: as the world leader in its domain, HEIDELBERG had already begun its journey in China in the 1960s. But by the late 1990s, as China’s industrial momentum surged, the vision of a local production site took shape. In June 2004, the Board approved the move, making HEIDELBERG the first German printing press manufacturer to establish its own plant in China.
In June 2005, with the business license approved, Heidelberg Graphic Equipment (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (HGES) is established. A temporary production site is set up in Qingpu, a fast-growing industrial hub on Shanghai’s western edge. Production kicks off with entry-level Stahlfolder folding machines. Early success quickly sparks plans for a larger, permanent facility with room to grow.
Later that year, HEIDELBERG officially inaugurates the very first hall of its Chinese assembly plant. It’s a day of celebration - the beginning of many. With local sourcing and assembly, HEIDELBERG strengthens its foothold in China, offering faster, more efficient service to customers across the region.
Every milestone in the newly established factory reflects the teamwork of Chinese and German engineers, technicians, and experts working side by side. Each success is a shared achievement. Like here, in 2006, when the international team celebrates the first print from the locally assembled Printmaster 52 — a proud moment in the factory’s formative years.
In 2007, a second production hall opens: 11,000 square meters dedicated to assembling medium-format Printmaster PM 74 presses for the Chinese market. A third hall follows in 2010–2011, adding 21,500 m² of capacity for the Speedmaster CD 102. These expansions mark a major leap in the local manufacturing capabilities of HEIDELBERG.
HGES opens its doors to the world with the "Discover HEI" media tour, welcoming international and Chinese journalists to Shanghai. The modern site and its strategic importance shine under the spotlight. In 2013, the 1,000th press is delivered from Shanghai, a clear signal of HEIDELBERG’s rising presence in the Chinese and Asian markets.
HGES receives ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, a testament to its commitment to quality and sustainability. In the same year, the Speedmaster CS 92 series, assembled exclusively in Shanghai, is launched. Designed for cost-conscious print shops, it quickly becomes a popular choice for its efficiency and value.
To mark its tenth year in Qingpu, HEIDELBERG inaugurates the Print Media Center (PMC) Shanghai, its third global competence center after Wiesloch and Atlanta. The PMC quickly becomes a regional hub for demonstrations, customer training, and knowledge exchange, shaping the next era of print in Asia.
HEIDELBERG deepens its long-standing partnership with Masterwork (MK) by launching a joint venture in Tianjin. The collaboration focused on joint parts production, creating synergies and efficiency gains that strengthened the HEIDELBERG manufacturing base in China.
In 2020, HGES begins preparing for cylinder production in Qingpu, converting Hall 1.2 with new foundations and precision infrastructure. In 2021, the first Speedmaster CX 104 rolls off the line, developed jointly by teams in China and Wiesloch. Its world premiere at China Print 2021, during the height of the pandemic, symbolizes innovation, teamwork, and resilience across continents.
The Print Media Academy (PMA) Shanghai opens its doors for technical training. Equipped with Speedmaster CX and SX models, the PMA now hosts up to 15 courses annually for more than 100 service technicians from across Asia-Pacific. The center strengthens HEIDELBERG's service expertise in the region and builds the skills of future printing professionals.
Fiscal year 2024/25 marks a new high point for HGES. With 1,477 printing units assembled — a record volume — and an export share of 40% (21% outside Asia), the Qingpu team achieves its best performance yet. The milestone is reached by a dedicated workforce of 559 employees.
2025 is a year of celebration for HEIDELBERG in China: 175 years of HEIDELBERG, 20 years of HGES, and 10 years of partnership with MK Masterwork. From CHINA PRINT to special customer events in Tianjin and Shanghai, HEIDELBERG celebrates innovation, collaboration, and the strength of its global community.
The anniversary celebrations closed with a lively family day in October, bringing together 1,500 employees and relatives on the production site in Shanghai. Music, food, and shared pride filled the factory grounds, an inspiring reminder that the future growth of HEIDELBERG in China is powered by its people, partnerships, and passion for print.
This year, HEIDELBERG celebrates 175 years of company history, and also 20 years since the founding of our China production site, Heidelberg Graphics Equipment Shanghai (HGES) which marked a key chapter in our global story.
Swipe through to revisit the moments that shaped HGES into today’s hub of innovation, excellence, and international collaboration.
Needless to say: as the world leader in its domain, HEIDELBERG had already begun its journey in China in the 1960s. But by the late 1990s, as China’s industrial momentum surged, the vision of a local production site took shape. In June 2004, the Board approved the move, making HEIDELBERG the first German printing press manufacturer to establish its own plant in China.
In June 2005, with the business license approved, Heidelberg Graphic Equipment (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (HGES) is established. A temporary production site is set up in Qingpu, a fast-growing industrial hub on Shanghai’s western edge. Production kicks off with entry-level Stahlfolder folding machines. Early success quickly sparks plans for a larger, permanent facility with room to grow.
Later that year, HEIDELBERG officially inaugurates the very first hall of its Chinese assembly plant. It’s a day of celebration - the beginning of many. With local sourcing and assembly, HEIDELBERG strengthens its foothold in China, offering faster, more efficient service to customers across the region.
Every milestone in the newly established factory reflects the teamwork of Chinese and German engineers, technicians, and experts working side by side. Each success is a shared achievement. Like here, in 2006, when the international team celebrates the first print from the locally assembled Printmaster 52 — a proud moment in the factory’s formative years.
In 2007, a second production hall opens: 11,000 square meters dedicated to assembling medium-format Printmaster PM 74 presses for the Chinese market. A third hall follows in 2010–2011, adding 21,500 m² of capacity for the Speedmaster CD 102. These expansions mark a major leap in the local manufacturing capabilities of HEIDELBERG.
HGES opens its doors to the world with the "Discover HEI" media tour, welcoming international and Chinese journalists to Shanghai. The modern site and its strategic importance shine under the spotlight. In 2013, the 1,000th press is delivered from Shanghai, a clear signal of HEIDELBERG’s rising presence in the Chinese and Asian markets.
HGES receives ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, a testament to its commitment to quality and sustainability. In the same year, the Speedmaster CS 92 series, assembled exclusively in Shanghai, is launched. Designed for cost-conscious print shops, it quickly becomes a popular choice for its efficiency and value.
To mark its tenth year in Qingpu, HEIDELBERG inaugurates the Print Media Center (PMC) Shanghai, its third global competence center after Wiesloch and Atlanta. The PMC quickly becomes a regional hub for demonstrations, customer training, and knowledge exchange, shaping the next era of print in Asia.
HEIDELBERG deepens its long-standing partnership with Masterwork (MK) by launching a joint venture in Tianjin. The collaboration focused on joint parts production, creating synergies and efficiency gains that strengthened the HEIDELBERG manufacturing base in China.
In 2020, HGES begins preparing for cylinder production in Qingpu, converting Hall 1.2 with new foundations and precision infrastructure. In 2021, the first Speedmaster CX 104 rolls off the line, developed jointly by teams in China and Wiesloch. Its world premiere at China Print 2021, during the height of the pandemic, symbolizes innovation, teamwork, and resilience across continents.
The Print Media Academy (PMA) Shanghai opens its doors for technical training. Equipped with Speedmaster CX and SX models, the PMA now hosts up to 15 courses annually for more than 100 service technicians from across Asia-Pacific. The center strengthens HEIDELBERG's service expertise in the region and builds the skills of future printing professionals.
Fiscal year 2024/25 marks a new high point for HGES. With 1,477 printing units assembled — a record volume — and an export share of 40% (21% outside Asia), the Qingpu team achieves its best performance yet. The milestone is reached by a dedicated workforce of 559 employees.
2025 is a year of celebration for HEIDELBERG in China: 175 years of HEIDELBERG, 20 years of HGES, and 10 years of partnership with MK Masterwork. From CHINA PRINT to special customer events in Tianjin and Shanghai, HEIDELBERG celebrates innovation, collaboration, and the strength of its global community.
The anniversary celebrations closed with a lively family day in October, bringing together 1,500 employees and relatives on the production site in Shanghai. Music, food, and shared pride filled the factory grounds, an inspiring reminder that the future growth of HEIDELBERG in China is powered by its people, partnerships, and passion for print.
This year marks more than just an anniversary: it marks a milestone in the history of HEIDELBERG. When we broke ground on our Shanghai site in 2005, it was a bold move into a dynamic market full of challenges and opportunities. Today, two decades later, the Shanghai facility has become a vital part of our global production network — and a powerful example of our ability to lead and adapt in a changing world.
The site’s growth has been remarkable: from a small assembly line with just 60 employees to a state-of-the-art facility with around 600 team members, delivering machines to more than 70 countries. Production space has expanded to 70,000 square meters, and the quality of equipment manufactured in Shanghai meets the same high standards as our main plant in Wiesloch. Today, the location serves not only as a production hub but also as a center of excellence for the Asia-Pacific region — complete with its own Print Media Center that continues to impress and inspire our customers.
Beyond manufacturing, the Shanghai site stands as a place of learning and collaboration. The close partnership between our Chinese and German teams demonstrates how much can be achieved through mutual exchange — whether in terms of agility, speed, or organizational depth. This spirit of collaboration and shared pursuit of excellence makes the facility a model for international teamwork.
From left to right: Jürgen Otto (Chief Executive Officer), Michael Nilges (Managing Director of HGES), and David Schmedding (Chief Technology & Sales Officer)
