Bundesdruckerei Records 12 Percent Increase in Turnover

Bundesdruckerei recorded a successful 2010 financial year with turnover up by 12 percent to €348.7 million. ID system business once again turned out to be the growth engine in national and international business. The most important project was the introduction of the new German ID card, one of the most demanding technology projects worldwide. With substantial investment in personnel and technology, Bundesdruckerei strengthened its innovative power and laid the foundation for sustainable growth in the years to come.

The first complete financial year with the new owner, i.e., the German federal government, was marked by the introduction of the new German ID card. For Bundesdruckerei, 2010 set a new course, both in operative business and in terms of strategic orientation. The clear recovery of business also shows that its strategy of focusing our core business on secure ID was the right decision.

“Thanks to significant investments in recent years, we have managed to become an international pioneer in this core business,” noted Ulrich Hamann, CEO of Bundesdruckerei GmbH in Berlin. Especially the new ID card, with its performance and security features which in many respects are unique, underpins Bundesdruckerei’s expertise as a high-security technology systems supplier.

ID system business once again accounted for the lion’s share of turnover. Bundesdruckerei supplies complete systems that protect identities – from the secure management of personal data and the production and issuance of ID documents right through to document verification. The new electronic ID card that was launched in Germany on Nov. 1, 2010 also contributed to this figure. In the months of November and December 2010, more than 700,000 ID cards were delivered. By the end of August 2011, this number has already totalled more than seven million.

As a full-service supplier of secure ID systems, Bundesdruckerei has an excellent international reputation and is an increasingly sought-after partner. With turnover of €32.2 million, the company recorded a significant increase in international business (+64 percent against the previous year). This was especially due to contracts for eID systems, ID systems and system components for the new EU member states as well as Latin America and the Middle East.

With security printing products, such as banknotes, postage stamps and revenue stamps, Bundesdruckerei recorded total turnover in the financial year of €71.7 million.

Thanks to the strong recovery of business in 2010, Bundesdruckerei recorded EBITDA of €51.9 million despite upfront costs and start-up investments of around €50 million for the new German ID card.

In 2010, Bundesdruckerei went to great lengths in order to secure and develop its leading competitive position. The number of employees in the Group rose by 14 percent to an average of 1,881 (excluding apprentices and interns/trainees). What’s more, the company intensified its research and development commitment considerably.

With its focus on the strongly growing “Secure ID” business field, Bundesdruckerei has created a basis to expand its national and international market position even further. Furthermore, 2011 also saw the launch of a program designed to improve profitability and cost efficiency in all business fields.

“We are determined to boost our ability to succeed in international competition even further. We have created important preconditions for this in recent months,” noted Hamann.