Heidelberg Presents Figures for First Six Months of Financial Year

Incoming orders 13 percent up on previous year
Sales six percent up at 1.628 billion Euro
Considerable improvement in result of operating activities at 118 million Euro
Outlook for full financial year 2006/2007 confirmed

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY—11/07/2006—For the first six months of financial year 2006/2007 (April 1 to September 30, 2006), Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) increased its sales and earnings over the previous year. Heidelberg Group sales in the first six months were six percent up on the comparable figure for the previous year at 1.628 billion Euro (previous year: 1.529 billion Euro). Incoming orders in the period climbed 13 percent to 1.996 billion Euro (previous year: 1.760 billion Euro). The order backlog of 1.343 billion Euro at the end of the second quarter was at the same high level as the previous quarter.

“Our customers are continuing to invest in cutting-edge and efficient presses to boost their productivity, a development that is having a positive effect on our order situation,” stated Heidelberg CEO, Bernhard Schreier. “The annual average volume of incoming orders has now grown consistently for three financial years in a row. During the first six months of the current financial year, the growth in sales and incoming orders was particularly strong in industrial countries such as the USA and Germany. Our forecast for the full financial year 2006/2007 remains on track.”

The Heidelberg Group recorded a result of operating activities of 118 million Euro in the first half year (previous year: 72 million Euro). This includes one-off effects worth 25 million Euro - among other things for the sale of the Linotype holding. The net profit after six months more than doubled to 68 million Euro (previous year: 31 million Euro).

“The improvement in results in the first half year shows that Heidelberg has made further progress towards improving its profitability,” stated Heidelberg CFO, Dirk Kaliebe. “The launch of new products and measures to improve competitiveness have made their mark on results. We will continue to do everything we can to improve our competitive edge.”