The journey of HEIDELBERG from a bell foundry to a global player is marked by significant milestones. As it celebrates its anniversary, the company is looking towards the future with a clear growth strategy. The success story of the Speedmaster series, which traces its origins back to the legendary „Original Heidelberger Tiegel” in 1921, has propelled HEIDELBERG to a world-leading position.
175 years ago, on March 11, 1850, the Hemmer, Hamm & Co. bell foundry and machine shop opened in Frankenthal. In addition to bells, the company also manufactured printing presses, which eventually led to the establishment of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG). With a strong focus on precision, quality, and innovation, HEIDELBERG has evolved from a small workshop in the Palatinate region of Germany to a global leader in the printing industry. Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG, emphasizes the company’s long-term success, global influence, and commitment to excellence. Looking ahead, HEIDELBERG aims to uphold and strengthen its position as an industry leader.
HEIDELBERG is focused on future growth through a strategic approach
By expanding into areas such as packaging, digital printing, software, and lifecycle products, HEIDELBERG is positioning itself for continued success in its core business.
The company’s recent expansion into industrial digital printing, including service and consumables, has already resulted in a significant increase in global incoming orders. As a result, sales of digital printing solutions are expected to see substantial growth in the coming financial year. Market assessments project that the global digital printing market accessible to HEIDELBERG will reach 7.5 billion euros in 2029, up from the current level of around 5 billion euros.
HEIDELBERG has the most extensive service network in the industry, operating in around 170 countries, for all lifecycle business needs.
Rapid Growth in Packaging Printing Worldwide
Over the last decade, the end-customer market for packaging has grown by over 60 percent, with HEIDELBERG reaping the benefits. The packaging segment now makes up more than 50 percent of the company’s sales, and this number is expected to continue rising. One of the driving forces behind this growth is the global shift toward recyclable fiber-based packaging, replacing plastics, films, and foils.
Hybrid print production has revolutionized the printing industry, making businesses more competitive and efficient. HEIDELBERG’s Push to Stop concept, introduced in 2016, has paved the way for autonomous printing processes with minimal operator intervention. The AI-assisted Prinect Touch Free workflow, showcased at drupa 2024, assigns print jobs to the most efficient production method and output system on an automated basis, covering offset and digital systems as well as postpress operations. This level of control over hybrid print production has redefined competitiveness in print shops.
By embracing autonomous printing processes and AI-assisted workflows, print shops can significantly increase their efficiency and competitiveness. HEIDELBERG’s Push to Stop concept and the Prinect Touch Free workflow automate print job assignments and production methods, from offset and digital systems to postpress operations, resulting in a more streamlined and competitive printing process.
The expansion of our portfolio will focus on industrial business and the burgeoning green technologies market. This will encompass sectors such as high-precision mechanical engineering, automotive industry, charging infrastructure, software, and new hydrogen technologies,” explains Otto. With strategic initiatives planned until the financial year 2028/2029 and improved performance and efficiency at staff and organizational levels, HEIDELBERG anticipates a growth potential of over 300 million euros. “HEIDELBERG’s accomplishments over the past 175 years are remarkable. We are confident that our current market position, the expertise of our staff, and our global customer relationships will drive further growth in the years to come,” Otto emphasizes.
2025 marks a special milestone for HEIDELBERG as the company celebrates its anniversary. To commemorate this occasion, HEIDELBERG will be hosting a series of events throughout the year, inviting customers, partners, politicians, and members of civil society to join in the festivities. The highlight of the anniversary celebrations will be a week-long event in June, culminating in an international ceremony at the company’s main production site in Wiesloch-Walldorf. The HEIDELBERG customer demonstration center has been transformed into the “Home of Print” in honor of this special occasion.
The company is hosting family days for employees at different locations and also releasing an anniversary magazine that delves into the company’s history and future. Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG, expressed gratitude for the loyalty of the company’s customers, partners, and staff, attributing it to the company’s success. He also emphasized the importance of the anniversary activities as a way of showing appreciation and fostering a collective dedication to shaping the future.
Ważne wydarzenia w historii HEIDELBERG
• 1850: 11 marca otwiera się odlewnia dzwonów i warsztat maszynowy Hemmer, Hamm & Co. w Frankenthal, kładąc podwaliny pod firmę obecnie znaną jako Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG.
• 1921: Zbudowano pierwszy Heidelberger Tiegel. Od 1926 roku ten automatyczny prasa płasko-cylindrowa była produkowana na taśmie montażowej. Do 1985 roku firma wyprodukowała ponad 160 000 tych pras.
In 1926, Hubert H.A. Sternberg was appointed to the board of Schnellpressen-fabrik Heidelberg AG, later known as HEIDELBERG. His impact on the company was significant, as he modernized production and marketing operations, leading to its growth. In 1949, Sternberg organized the first German export exhibition in the USA after World War II, and in 1951, he helped initiate drupa, the industry’s leading global trade show. He remained a board member until 1972.
In 1930, demonstration vehicles were deployed as part of Sternberg’s marketing strategy for HEIDELBERG presses. The vehicles, which included buses and trucks, were used to showcase the presses directly to potential customers at their locations. Engineers accompanied the vehicles to ensure proper installation and operation. Additionally, advertising campaigns and installment-based payment plans were utilized to further promote the company’s success in the market.
In 1951, the International Printing and Paper Exhibition, later known as drupa, was a huge success with 300,000 visitors. HEIDELBERG showcased an improved version of its popular Tiegel model and implemented the „Original Heidelberg” trademark on all presses to prevent imitation.
In 1957, HEIDELBERG expanded its operations by opening its largest production site in Wiesloch. This expansion was made possible by the strong commitment of Sternberg, as further growth within the city of Heidelberg was no longer feasible. The construction of the new site was completed in just one year, allowing the company to create space for continued growth.
In 1962, HEIDELBERG entered the offset market with its small offset rotation press known as KOR. This was followed by the Rotaspeed in 1965, a larger sheetfed offset press. The GTO, a large platen offset press, was launched in 1972 and became a successful model for many years.
W 1975 roku firma HEIDELBERG wprowadziła na rynek prasę offsetową Speedmaster, która rewolucjonizowała rynek druku wielobarwnego dzięki swojej wydajności. Pracująca z prędkością 11 000 arkuszy na godzinę, stała się bestsellerem i do dziś pozostaje filarem portfolio firmy w tradycyjnym biznesie.
• In 1999, HEIDELBERG purchased a 30 percent stake in the Swiss press manufacturer Gallus, which specializes in label printing. By 2014, HEIDELBERG had acquired the entire company, solidifying its position in the market.
• In 2000, HEIDELBERG rebranded itself as a solution provider, broadening its prepress and postpress offerings through strategic acquisitions. The introduction of Prinect software marked the beginning of digitalization by connecting machines throughout the workflow.
2004: HEIDELBERG takes a significant leap into digitalization by connecting a press to the Internet for the first time.
2005: The Chinese production site in the Qingpu district of Shanghai opens, becoming a crucial part of the company’s production network.
2016: HEIDELBERG introduces the Push to Stop concept at drupa, marking a major step toward autonomous printing that minimizes operator intervention.
2018: Wallbox production begins in Wiesloch-Walldorf, with the company’s subsidiary Amperfied successfully entering the electromobility market.
W 2020 roku firma rozszerza swoją działalność o robotykę, wprowadzając do produkcji roboty przemysłowe, które automatyzują proces drukowania, w tym operacje wykończeniowe. Automatyzacja ta będzie również rozszerzona na inne obszary w przyszłości.
• In 2024, the collaboration with Canon resulted in the unveiling of the new Jetfire 50 digital press at drupa 2024. This digital printing solution offers industrial productivity, catering to the growing demand in the industry.
• 2025 marks the 175th anniversary of HEIDELBERG, coinciding with the grand opening of the redesigned customer demonstration center, now known as the Home of Print, in Wiesloch-Walldorf. This milestone is a testament to the company’s clear growth strategy for the future.
For more information about 175 years of HEIDELBERG and its history, visit our anniversary website at www.heidelberg.com/175, the company’s Wikipedia page, the yearbook „150 years of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG,” and „A Press Is Born.”
O firmie HEIDELBERG
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) to wiodąca firma technologiczna, która od 175 lat jest symbolem innowacji, jakości i niezawodności w dziedzinie inżynierii mechanicznej na całym świecie. Koncentrując się na wzroście i jako kompleksowy dostawca rozwiązań, HEIDELBERG przyspiesza rozwój w głównych obszarach, takich jak druk opakowań i cyfrowy, rozwiązania oprogramowania oraz biznes na etapie eksploatacji, oferując usługi serwisowe i materiały eksploatacyjne, aby klienci mogli osiągnąć maksymalną produktywność i efektywność.
The company is looking to expand into new business areas, including high-precision plant engineering with integrated control systems, automation technology, robotics, and the growing green technologies sector. It has a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, a workforce of roughly 9,500 employees, production facilities in Europe, China, and the USA, and one of the largest global sales and service networks, positioning it for future growth.
For more information about the company and access to image material, visit www.heidelberg.com. Additional resources can be found in the Investor Relations portal and Press Lounge on the Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG website. A picture is also available at AP.
Important Information:
The information provided in this release includes forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. While the management believes these assumptions and estimates to be accurate, actual future development and results may differ significantly due to factors such as changes in the overall economic situation, exchange and interest rates, and the print media industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft does not guarantee the accuracy of these statements and assumes no liability for any deviations in future developments and results.
Źródło wiadomości: pap-mediaroom.pl
