07/01/2026
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is further expanding its strategic position as a systems integrator. The transaction to integrate the lifecycle business and the global sales and service companies of the manroland sheetfed Group was completed at the beginning of July. The integration of manroland sheetfed into the HEIDELBERG Group can thus proceed as planned.
In addition, HEIDELBERG signed an agreement today to take over the production of POLAR presses and systems in the future. The development of these presses will be integrated into HEIDELBERG’s organization. Following the already completed integration of technology, brand, sales, and service, the company is thus taking the next logical step and strengthening its position, particularly in the packaging and label markets.
“By integrating the businesses of manroland sheetfed and POLAR, HEIDELBERG is strengthening its leading position in the printing and packaging industry,” said Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG. “We are consistently expanding our value chain and thereby creating added value for our customers.”
Agreement reached on full acquisition of POLAR
For customers from HEIDELBERG, this step mainly means continued high reliability in quality, availability, and innovation. Through the full acquisition, the company is accelerating the development of new solutions, particularly in the areas of automation and workflow integration. POLAR systems remain an integral part of networked, highly productive production environments throughout the entire post-press process. The product portfolio includes components and systems that integrate and automate all processes—from loading, shaking, cutting, and die-cutting to unloading and banding. For customers, all familiar processes related to service, support, and sales remain unchanged.
Gradual integration into the HEIDELBERG production network
The transition will take place in stages: The current production site in Hofheim will no longer be available in the long term due to its sale. HEIDELBERG will use the time until then to prepare for integration into the company’s production network.
Availability and quality of POLAR systems ensured
Customers are at the heart of all our initiatives. HEIDELBERG consistently ensures high delivery reliability and the high quality of service customers have come to expect, while at the same time underscoring its long-term commitment to the market. “With the complete acquisition of POLAR, we are further expanding our leading role as a systems integrator. For our customers, reliability and performance are always the top priorities. Especially during a period of noticeable market changes, we are sending a clear signal to the market: HEIDELBERG stands for stability, quality, and long-term partnership.”
The collaboration between HEIDELBERG and POLAR dates to the 1950s and has been continuously expanded over the decades. With the full integration of development, production, sales, and service, a consistently managed, high-performance offering is now being created across the entire value chain, with a clear focus on productivity, efficiency, and futureproofing for customers worldwide.
The parties have agreed not to disclose the details of the agreement.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has stood for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for more than 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG—as a full-service provider and systems integrator—is driving further development in its core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and the lifecycle business with service and consumables, enabling customers to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. Building on decades of industry and systems expertise, the company is also strategically tapping into new markets in the fields of security, energy, charging infrastructure, and industrial system solutions—with clear scaling capabilities and attractive growth prospects. Thanks to a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creativity and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the U.S., and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is well positioned globally.
Image 1: The POLAR LabelSystem DC-12 RAPID enables highly automated, unmanned inline production of bundled die-cut and cut-to-size labels.
Image 2: The POLAR AirGo Jog automatically aligns individual sheets of paper or cardboard with precision to the edge for stacking prior to cutting.
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 press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates made by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Although management believes these assumptions and estimates to be accurate, actual future developments and results may differ significantly from these assumptions and estimates due to a variety of factors. These factors may include, for example, changes in the overall economic situation, exchange rates, and interest rates, as well as changes within the graphic arts industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft makes no warranty and assumes no liability that future developments and actual results will correspond to the assumptions and estimates expressed in this press release.
Thomas Fichtl
Head of Global Communications
Tel.: +49 (0)6222 82 67123
Email: thomas.fichtl@heidelberg.com
Matthias Hartung
Press Officer – Corporate, Print Systems, and Technology
Tel.: +49 (0)6222 82 67174
Email: matthias.hartung@heidelberg.com
Sascha Donat
Head of Capital Market Relations
Email: sascha.donat@heidelberg.com
07/01/2026
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is further expanding its strategic position as a systems integrator. The transaction to integrate the lifecycle business and the global sales and service companies of the manroland sheetfed Group was completed at the beginning of July. The integration of manroland sheetfed into the HEIDELBERG Group can thus proceed as planned.
In addition, HEIDELBERG signed an agreement today to take over the production of POLAR presses and systems in the future. The development of these presses will be integrated into HEIDELBERG’s organization. Following the already completed integration of technology, brand, sales, and service, the company is thus taking the next logical step and strengthening its position, particularly in the packaging and label markets.
“By integrating the businesses of manroland sheetfed and POLAR, HEIDELBERG is strengthening its leading position in the printing and packaging industry,” said Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG. “We are consistently expanding our value chain and thereby creating added value for our customers.”
Agreement reached on full acquisition of POLAR
For customers from HEIDELBERG, this step mainly means continued high reliability in quality, availability, and innovation. Through the full acquisition, the company is accelerating the development of new solutions, particularly in the areas of automation and workflow integration. POLAR systems remain an integral part of networked, highly productive production environments throughout the entire post-press process. The product portfolio includes components and systems that integrate and automate all processes—from loading, shaking, cutting, and die-cutting to unloading and banding. For customers, all familiar processes related to service, support, and sales remain unchanged.
Gradual integration into the HEIDELBERG production network
The transition will take place in stages: The current production site in Hofheim will no longer be available in the long term due to its sale. HEIDELBERG will use the time until then to prepare for integration into the company’s production network.
Availability and quality of POLAR systems ensured
Customers are at the heart of all our initiatives. HEIDELBERG consistently ensures high delivery reliability and the high quality of service customers have come to expect, while at the same time underscoring its long-term commitment to the market. “With the complete acquisition of POLAR, we are further expanding our leading role as a systems integrator. For our customers, reliability and performance are always the top priorities. Especially during a period of noticeable market changes, we are sending a clear signal to the market: HEIDELBERG stands for stability, quality, and long-term partnership.”
The collaboration between HEIDELBERG and POLAR dates to the 1950s and has been continuously expanded over the decades. With the full integration of development, production, sales, and service, a consistently managed, high-performance offering is now being created across the entire value chain, with a clear focus on productivity, efficiency, and futureproofing for customers worldwide.
The parties have agreed not to disclose the details of the agreement.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has stood for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for more than 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG—as a full-service provider and systems integrator—is driving further development in its core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and the lifecycle business with service and consumables, enabling customers to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. Building on decades of industry and systems expertise, the company is also strategically tapping into new markets in the fields of security, energy, charging infrastructure, and industrial system solutions—with clear scaling capabilities and attractive growth prospects. Thanks to a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creativity and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the U.S., and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is well positioned globally.
Image 1: The POLAR LabelSystem DC-12 RAPID enables highly automated, unmanned inline production of bundled die-cut and cut-to-size labels.
Image 2: The POLAR AirGo Jog automatically aligns individual sheets of paper or cardboard with precision to the edge for stacking prior to cutting.
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 press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates made by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Although management believes these assumptions and estimates to be accurate, actual future developments and results may differ significantly from these assumptions and estimates due to a variety of factors. These factors may include, for example, changes in the overall economic situation, exchange rates, and interest rates, as well as changes within the graphic arts industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft makes no warranty and assumes no liability that future developments and actual results will correspond to the assumptions and estimates expressed in this press release.
Head of Global Communications
Tel.: +49 (0)6222 82 67123
Press Officer – Corporate, Print Systems, and Technology
Tel.: +49 (0)6222 82 67174
Head of Capital Market Relations
