Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (FWB: HDD):
-- Incoming orders around 21 percent up on previous year
-- Sales climb by around 9 percent to EUR 719 million
-- Operating result more than doubled to EUR 16 million
-- Outlook for full financial year 06/07 unchanged
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) (FWB: HDD) increased
its sales and earnings in the first quarter of financial year
2006/2007 compared with the previous year. At EUR 719 million, sales
by the Heidelberg Group in the first three months (April 1 to June 30)
were around 9 percent up on the previous year (EUR 660 million).
Incoming orders in the first quarter increased by around 21 percent to
EUR 1.076 billion (previous year: EUR 886 million). At EUR 1.346
billion, the order backlog at the end of the first quarter was up on
the figure at March 31, 2006 (EUR 1.017 billion) thanks to the good
levels of incoming orders.
"The positive trend in the print media industry continued in the
first three months of the new financial year," said Bernhard Schreier,
Heidelberg's CEO. "The success of the IPEX trade show at the start of
the financial year gave us considerable momentum. Our expectations for
2006/2007 are confirmed."
The Heidelberg Group recorded an operating result of EUR 16
million in the period under review (previous year: EUR 7 million). The
net profit in the first quarter was EUR 5 million (previous year:
minus EUR 1 million) and was positive again for the first time in four
years.
"The high volume of incoming orders in the first quarter proves
that investment confidence in the print media industry has
strengthened further," said Dr. Herbert Meyer, Heidelberg's CFO.
"There was a considerable upturn in business, particularly in Europe
and North America. The Asia/Pacific region remained at the high level
of the previous year, if one deducts the good volume of incoming
orders generated at the China Print trade show in May 2005."
As of June 30, 2006, the Heidelberg Group had a workforce of
18,876 worldwide (previous year: 18,583).
Increased sales and incoming orders in the Press and Postpress
divisions
In the Press division (offset printing), sales rose to EUR 620
million in the first three months (previous year: EUR 567 million).
Incoming orders in the period under review amounted to EUR 954 million
(previous year: EUR 788 million). The operating result in the first
quarter stood at EUR 4 million (previous year: EUR 7 million) and
included the costs of the IPEX trade show in Birmingham, UK.
In the Postpress division (finishing), quarterly sales were EUR 89
million (previous year: EUR 80 million). Incoming orders totaled EUR
112 million (previous year: EUR 85 million). The operating result in
the period under review reached break-even (previous year: minus EUR 4
million).
In the EMEA, North America and Eastern Europe regions, sales in
the first quarter were much higher than the comparable figures of the
previous year. Sales in the Asia/Pacific region increased 0.4 percent
after adjustments for currency fluctuations.
Outlook for financial year 2006/2007 unchanged
For financial year 2006/2007, the Company expects growth in sales
of around 5 percent on financial year 2005/2006. Heidelberg plans to
boost the result of operating activities to around 10 percent of sales
in the current financial year.
Share buyback program concluded
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG concluded last week the share
buyback program begun on November 9, 2005. On the basis of the
authorization issued by the Annual General Meeting of July 20, 2005, a
total of 4,295,424 shares or 5 percent of capital stock had been
bought back up to July 26, 2006 at an average price of EUR 35.00. This
amounts to a total figure of EUR 150,349,212.29.
The table with the figures can be downloaded on the Press Lounge
at www.heidelberg.com.
For further information visit the Internet Press Lounge at
www.heidelberg.com.
Other dates:
The scheduled publication date for the half-year financial
statements 2006/2007 is November 7, 2006.
Important note:
This Press Information contains statements about future
development that are based on assumptions and estimates by the
management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even if
the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates
are accurate, future actual developments and future actual results may
differ significantly from these assumptions and estimates due to a
variety of factors. These factors can include changes to the overall
economic climate, changes to exchange rates and interest rates and
changes in the graphic arts industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
Aktiengesellschaft provides no guarantee that future developments and
the results actually achieved in the future will agree with the
assumptions and estimates set out in this press release and assumes no
liability for such.
