Heidelberg ANZ has 'very strong order book', global sales rise

Heidelberg Australia and New Zealand has "a very strong machinery backlog", as worldwide sales and operating profits continue to rise.

The manufacturer reported a 5% year-on-year rise in global sales to €2.7 billion ($3.5 billion) in preliminary figures for the 12 months to 31 March 2013. Operating profit before special items jumped from €3 million to €28 million.

Heidelberg recorded a loss of €110 million, partly due to €65 million in one-off costs associated with its Focus 2012 restructuring programme. The previous year's loss was €230 million.

Staffing levels fell by 8.4% to 14,215 during the reporting period.

The group's results for the three months to the end of March 2013 saw a 5.7% rise in sales to €830 million and a 173% jump in underlying operating profit to €60 million.

Chief executive Gerold Linzbach said the results were "a key milestone on our way to profitability".

"Focus 2012 lays the foundation for us to start making a profit again from financial year 2013-14 onwards," he added.

The managing director of Heidelberg Australia and New Zealand, Richard Timson, told ProPrint that the local business also had good news to report.

"The [global] figures are pleasing in that we are heading in a positive direction and expect to further improve our performance in the coming years," he said.

"Australia and New Zealand have a very strong machinery backlog and we look forward to a good year."

Heidelberg will publish its finalised results on 13 June.

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