Heidelberg Grows, Records Significant Annual Net Profit

Based on preliminary figures, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has recorded a net result after taxes for financial year 2015/2016 (April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016) that corresponds to a €100 million turnaround – from €–72 million to €28 million – and has thus achieved its goal of a significant net annual profit for the year under review.
 
The improved operating result underlines that the strategic reorientation is having an impact and the company has embarked on a period of sustained profitability and growth. A healthy balance sheet also paves the way for further expansion.
 
“Heidelberg is back to making profits and is looking to the future with optimism. The year under review marks a turning point in our strategic reorientation. As promised, the course is now set for growth and sustained profitability,” said CEO Gerold Linzbach.
 
Sales after 12 months climbed to €2.512 billion (previous year: €2.334 billion). The growth after adjustment for exchange rate movements (€2.426 billion) was as expected at 4%. A good final quarter in the period under review took incoming orders beyond the previous year’s figure (€2.434 billion) to €2.492 billion.
 
EBITDA excluding special items in the period under review totaled €189 million (previous year: €188 million, including special items amounting to some €50 million). This corresponds to an EBITDA margin of 7.8% (previous year excluding special items: 5.9%) of sales adjusted for exchange rate movements. Special items in the reporting period amounted to some €–21 million (previous year: €–99 million). The financial result improved substantially to €–65 million (previous year: €–96 million). Based on preliminary figures, this led to a net result after taxes of €28 million (previous year: €–72 million).
 
The free cash flow at the end of the financial year was still negative at approx. €–30 million (previous year: €–17 million), primarily due to restructuring costs and the PSG acquisition. The net financial debt in the quarter under review remained at a low level of around €280 million (March 31, 2015: €256 million) and the leverage was some way below the target value of 2 at 1.5.
 
Following the successful annual figures, Heidelberg is continuing its policy of further optimizing its financing structure and reducing its future interest burden. Given its stable liquidity position, the company has opted for early redemption of the some €50 million still outstanding on its high-yield bond – in full and ahead of schedule from cash on hand – on June 10, 2016. The bond has a coupon rate of 9.25% and was originally due to mature in 2018. As well as investing in growth areas such as the digital and services sectors, this means the company is also in a position to further strengthen its financing structure.
 
“Heidelberg is back in the black and is on a sound financial footing, noted CFO Dirk Kaliebe. “The reorganization of our financing structure with further falling interest costs provides the basis for the company’s strategic development. Our top priority is focusing on growth and profitability.”