01/19/2026
Representatives of the Ministry of Defense and relevant members of the Bundestag visited HEIDELBERG at its Wiesloch-Walldorf site: Orhan Bekyigit, Head of Production Wiesloch, Prof. Dr. Lars Castellucci, Member of the Bundestag, Ralph Arns, Works Council Chairman, Bettina Lugk, Member of the Bundestag, Xenia Rösch, state parliament candidate, Dr. Nils Schmid, State Secretary for Defense, Member of the Bundestag, Jürgen Otto, CEO, Michael Wellenzohn, CEO of HEIDELBERG Technology, and Nick Trabold, Head of Service Operations & PMC (from left).
Earlier today, Dr. Nils Schmid from Nürtingen, who is Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Defense, and SPD Members of the Bundestag Prof. Lars Castellucci and Bettina Lugk visited the HEIDELBERG Wiesloch-Walldorf site. As the Member of the Bundestag for the Rhine-Neckar electoral district, Castellucci had invited along his colleague Lugk from the Defense Committee and the State Secretary, who comes from Baden-Württemberg, to support the company’s fast-growing involvement in the security and defense sector. HEIDELBERG is in the process of pooling its activities in this area in a dedicated business in the new “Advanced Industries” segment (security, energy, and automation).
During the visit, the CEO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Jürgen Otto, said the following: “We are very pleased to welcome State Secretary Dr. Nils Schmid and his colleagues. If we are to expand the capabilities of the German armed forces, other NATO states, and civilian security agencies, then the worlds of industry and politics must work in close partnership. We build the most complex machines in the world and want to contribute this know-how, the expertise of our workforce, our technologies, and our capacities. We spoke in detail about these matters. We look forward to being supported in Berlin as we seek to continue networking with the authorities and other companies so we can ramp up the projects and activities we have initiated.”
HEIDELBERG aims to establish itself as a reliable supplier to Germany’s Bundeswehr, the armed forces of other NATO states, civilian security agencies and organizations, and private operators of critical infrastructure – and to successively expand this role. As one of the world’s most innovative mechanical engineering companies, HEIDELBERG and its technologies can play an important part in helping to meet the crucial capability requirements of authorities and armed forces. That includes hardware and software development, electronic component manufacture, machining, foundry technology, and the assembly of highly complex plant and system solutions in the heavy engineering sector. This comprehensive portfolio is further bolstered by the experience HEIDELBERG has gained as an end-to-end system partner that covers the supply of spare parts and service operations. One area where the company can bring particular added value for the essential and rapid improvement of defense capabilities is the option to rapidly scale-up production by leveraging existing infrastructure and capacities.
In recent months, the company has already established a partnership with VINCORION, a specialist in decentralized energy systems for security-critical applications. During a visit to Israel by German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche, an agreement was also signed to enter into a partnership with US-Israeli counter-drone specialist Ondas. HEIDELBERG and Ondas will work together on projects and orders related to the protection of critical infrastructure in Europe. HEIDELBERG is also holding discussions with other companies in the defense sector.
State Secretary Dr. Nils Schmid said the following: “If we are to be able to defend ourselves as a state and society, we need to equip the Bundeswehr better – and fast. We can’t lose any more time. That is why we will also utilize tried-and-tested industrial know-how and the capabilities of German companies from other sectors of industry.”
Prof. Castellucci added: “As the Member of the Bundestag for the Rhine-Neckar electoral district, I champion interests here on the ground every day. That includes supporting businesses from our region. In speaking to staff and trainees, it has become clear that the move HEIDELBERG has made into the security and defense sector represents a major opportunity for the whole region, first and foremost for workers. That is why I am very happy to support the company’s efforts in Berlin, too.”
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth and as a total solution provider, HEIDELBERG is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency.
The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control systems, automation technology, robotics, and the growing green technologies sector. With its strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the USA, and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is ideally positioned for future growth.
Image 1: State Secretary for Defense Dr. Nils Schmid visited HEIDELBERG and was welcomed by CEO Jürgen Otto (from left).
Image 2: Representatives of the Ministry of Defense and relevant members of the Bundestag visited HEIDELBERG at its Wiesloch-Walldorf site: Orhan Bekyigit, Head of Production Wiesloch, Prof. Dr. Lars Castellucci, Member of the Bundestag, Ralph Arns, Works Council Chairman, Bettina Lugk, Member of the Bundestag, Xenia Rösch, state parliament candidate, Dr. Nils Schmid, State Secretary for Defense, Member of the Bundestag, Jürgen Otto, CEO, Michael Wellenzohn, CEO of HEIDELBERG Technology, and Nick Trabold, Head of Service Operations & PMC (from left).
Image material, and further information about the company are available in the Investor Relations and Press Lounge of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at www.heidelberg.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even though the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are accurate, the actual future development and results may deviate substantially from these forward-looking statements due to various factors, such as changes in the overall economic situation, in exchange and interest rates, and within the print media industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft provides no guarantee and assumes no liability for future developments and results deviating from the assumptions and estimates made in this press release.
Thomas Fichtl
Head of Global Communications
Tel.: +49 (0)6222 82 67123
Email: thomas.fichtl@heidelberg.com
Sascha Donat
Head of Investor Relations
Email: sascha.donat@heidelberg.com
01/19/2026
Earlier today, Dr. Nils Schmid from Nürtingen, who is Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Defense, and SPD Members of the Bundestag Prof. Lars Castellucci and Bettina Lugk visited the HEIDELBERG Wiesloch-Walldorf site. As the Member of the Bundestag for the Rhine-Neckar electoral district, Castellucci had invited along his colleague Lugk from the Defense Committee and the State Secretary, who comes from Baden-Württemberg, to support the company’s fast-growing involvement in the security and defense sector. HEIDELBERG is in the process of pooling its activities in this area in a dedicated business in the new “Advanced Industries” segment (security, energy, and automation).
During the visit, the CEO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Jürgen Otto, said the following: “We are very pleased to welcome State Secretary Dr. Nils Schmid and his colleagues. If we are to expand the capabilities of the German armed forces, other NATO states, and civilian security agencies, then the worlds of industry and politics must work in close partnership. We build the most complex machines in the world and want to contribute this know-how, the expertise of our workforce, our technologies, and our capacities. We spoke in detail about these matters. We look forward to being supported in Berlin as we seek to continue networking with the authorities and other companies so we can ramp up the projects and activities we have initiated.”
HEIDELBERG aims to establish itself as a reliable supplier to Germany’s Bundeswehr, the armed forces of other NATO states, civilian security agencies and organizations, and private operators of critical infrastructure – and to successively expand this role. As one of the world’s most innovative mechanical engineering companies, HEIDELBERG and its technologies can play an important part in helping to meet the crucial capability requirements of authorities and armed forces. That includes hardware and software development, electronic component manufacture, machining, foundry technology, and the assembly of highly complex plant and system solutions in the heavy engineering sector. This comprehensive portfolio is further bolstered by the experience HEIDELBERG has gained as an end-to-end system partner that covers the supply of spare parts and service operations. One area where the company can bring particular added value for the essential and rapid improvement of defense capabilities is the option to rapidly scale-up production by leveraging existing infrastructure and capacities.
In recent months, the company has already established a partnership with VINCORION, a specialist in decentralized energy systems for security-critical applications. During a visit to Israel by German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche, an agreement was also signed to enter into a partnership with US-Israeli counter-drone specialist Ondas. HEIDELBERG and Ondas will work together on projects and orders related to the protection of critical infrastructure in Europe. HEIDELBERG is also holding discussions with other companies in the defense sector.
State Secretary Dr. Nils Schmid said the following: “If we are to be able to defend ourselves as a state and society, we need to equip the Bundeswehr better – and fast. We can’t lose any more time. That is why we will also utilize tried-and-tested industrial know-how and the capabilities of German companies from other sectors of industry.”
Prof. Castellucci added: “As the Member of the Bundestag for the Rhine-Neckar electoral district, I champion interests here on the ground every day. That includes supporting businesses from our region. In speaking to staff and trainees, it has become clear that the move HEIDELBERG has made into the security and defense sector represents a major opportunity for the whole region, first and foremost for workers. That is why I am very happy to support the company’s efforts in Berlin, too.”
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth and as a total solution provider, HEIDELBERG is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency.
The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control systems, automation technology, robotics, and the growing green technologies sector. With its strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the USA, and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is ideally positioned for future growth.
Image 1: State Secretary for Defense Dr. Nils Schmid visited HEIDELBERG and was welcomed by CEO Jürgen Otto (from left).
Image 2: Representatives of the Ministry of Defense and relevant members of the Bundestag visited HEIDELBERG at its Wiesloch-Walldorf site: Orhan Bekyigit, Head of Production Wiesloch, Prof. Dr. Lars Castellucci, Member of the Bundestag, Ralph Arns, Works Council Chairman, Bettina Lugk, Member of the Bundestag, Xenia Rösch, state parliament candidate, Dr. Nils Schmid, State Secretary for Defense, Member of the Bundestag, Jürgen Otto, CEO, Michael Wellenzohn, CEO of HEIDELBERG Technology, and Nick Trabold, Head of Service Operations & PMC (from left).
Image material, and further information about the company are available in the Investor Relations and Press Lounge of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at www.heidelberg.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even though the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are accurate, the actual future development and results may deviate substantially from these forward-looking statements due to various factors, such as changes in the overall economic situation, in exchange and interest rates, and within the print media industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft provides no guarantee and assumes no liability for future developments and results deviating from the assumptions and estimates made in this press release.
Head of Global Communications
Tel.: +49 (0)6222 82 67123
Head of Investor Relations
