20 Years of HEIDELBERG in Shanghai

A Milestone of Global Significance

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.

Before 2005

Prelude

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.

2005

The adventure begins

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.

2005

Birth of a factory

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.

2006

East meets West

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.

2007–2011

Growing by leaps

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.

2012-2013

Into the spotlight

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.

2014

Standards of excellence

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.

2015

A decade in print

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.

2019

Stronger together

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.

2020–2021

A global team, one breakthrough press

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.

2023

Training the next generation

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.

2024/25

Breaking records

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

A year full of celebrations

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.

2025

Honoring heritage, embracing tomorrow

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.

Happy Birthday,

Heidelberg Graphics Equipment Shanghai!

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)

Dive into our stories

Faces of HEIDELBERG Shanghai

Our Shanghai/Qingpu success story is, above all, a story about people.

Meet some of the individuals who bring our commitment to quality, innovation, and international collaboration to life every day.

Supplier Quality Engineer

Tiger Zhang

At HEIDELBERG since 2019

Tiger has built a strong reputation through his technical expertise and collaborative approach in projects such as quality improvements and localization initiatives. Supported by HEIDELBERG’s culture of innovation and teamwork, he combines engineering depth with strategic thinking. For him, HEIDELBERG means precision, efficiency, and partnership.

Manufacturing Manager

Tommy Mannewitz

At HEIDELBERG since 2011

Starting with a dual study program, Tommy’s career evolved into leading cylinder and traverse manufacturing in Shanghai with around 100 employees. He combines German precision with the fast-paced “China speed,” achieving milestones such as the 8,888th cylinder and the CX104 launch at China Print 2021. He hopes HEIDELBERG continues to think globally and embrace innovation with strong team spirit.

Master Grinder

Jianping Wen

At HEIDELBERG since 2012

Jianping has been with HEIDELBERG for over 13 years and now leads the grinding workshop in Qingpu. A highlight of his career was helping produce the 8,888th cylinder – a symbol of the team’s dedication and HEIDELBERG’s pursuit of excellence. He values the company’s commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability, and looks forward to continuing his growth at HEIDELBERG.

Assembly Manager

Raphael Schön

At HEIDELBERG since 2009

Raphael began his HEIDELBERG journey with an internship in Shanghai and now oversees assembly and order management. He thrives in an environment that blends “German Efficiency, Chinese Speed.” For him, trust, flat hierarchies, and cross-site collaboration make HEIDELBERG a place of real opportunity.

Production Manager

John Wang

At HEIDELBERG since 2005

Over two decades, John has witnessed Qingpu grow from a small production site into a full-scale plant—and developed alongside it. Starting as a folder machine assembler, he advanced through training in Wiesloch and a business degree supported by HEIDELBERG. He values the company’s culture of learning, teamwork, and global impact in the printing industry.

IPQ and ISO System Manager

Ye Sun

At HEIDELBERG since 2007

For Ye, “German Quality made in Qingpu” sums up the excellence achieved at HEIDELBERG’s Chinese site. She led quality improvements and new processes, proud of milestones like the 1,000th Speedmaster CD 102. Integrity, respect, and teamwork are the values she believes drive HEIDELBERG forward.

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