Print Solutions
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, together with the Works Council and IG Metall, has adopted a plan for the future to strengthen the competitiveness of the Wiesloch-Walldorf site. This plan will reduce personnel costs by more than €100 million over the next three financial years through various measures and thus not only increase cost efficiency, but also make investments possible. The agreement applies with immediate effect until December 31, 2028 and also includes a site guarantee for 3500 employees as well as investments in the site.
‘The future plan for the Wiesloch-Walldorf site is an important step for Heidelberg in laying the foundations for future growth within the group. The agreement will enable us to reduce costs at the largest site in Germany and create space for important investments,’ said Jürgen Otto, CEO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. ‘We are convinced that we will be able to manufacture further industrial and highly complex products at the Wiesloch-Walldorf site, including for other industries.’
The plan for the future is an important building block in the strategic positioning of Heidelberg, because the company is aiming to expand its international business, particularly through growth in markets such as China and Asia. With an outstanding market position worldwide, particularly in China thanks to local production and the partnership with MK Masterwork, the company is ideally placed to achieve this.
Thanks to its cooperation with Canon, the company will participate even more strongly in the growing digital printing business in future. Incoming orders already confirm this from the next financial year.
In the packaging sector, it will benefit from the growing global demand for replacements for plastic packaging. In addition, the company sees further global earnings opportunities in the expansion of its service, software and automation business.
Today, over 85% of business is already conducted outside of Germany. In total, Heidelberg sees growth potential of more than €300 million in sales for all strategic initiatives by the 2028/2029 financial year.
At the same time, future investments are also secured, such as the modern data centre at the Wiesloch-Walldorf site, the modernisation of infrastructure and production facilities, training and further education, qualification and projects for software and AI.
Jürgen Otto continued, ‘Heidelberg has enormous expertise and potential. We are a driver of innovation beyond the printing industry.’
The agreement on the future plan applies to the Wiesloch-Walldorf site, but is intended to serve as a pilot for other Heidelberg sites in Germany. These include Brandenburg, Amstetten and Ludwigsburg.
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