Koenig & Bauer Confirms Annual Forecast with Seasonal Q1 Effects

Koenig & Bauer AG is able to report pleasing order intake despite a persistently challenging market together with operating figures affected by seasonal factors in the first quarter of 2025. The quarter was characterized by the new segment structure, significant strategic initiatives and initial successes of the “Spotlight” focus program.

“The underlying conditions remain challenging – geopolitically and economically as well as in terms of industry and trade policy. It is therefore all the more important for us to set the right accents with our strategic development,” said CEO Dr Andreas Pleßke. “With our ‘Spotlight” focus program, we have taken the right path, and the measures that have been implemented are yielding the planned savings.”

Despite the global uncertainty triggered by the US tariffs, order intake was up, rising by 0.9% as of March 31, 2025 to €245.2 million over the previous year’s figure of €242.9 million. At €1,032.8 million, the order backlog reached the highest first-quarter figure in the company’s recent history, representing an increase of 14.6%.

The group revenue of €252.2 million came close to the previous year’s figure of €253.2 million. This mainly reflected seasonal factors, primarily in the Special & New Technologies (S&T) segment. The muted start to the year typical of the mechanical engineering sector is particularly evident in group EBIT, which fell year-on-year to €-14.2 million (previous year: €-10.2 million). This was due to the aforementioned seasonality

Operating EBIT came to €-11.4 million (previous year: €-10.2 million), corresponding to an operating EBIT margin of -4.5% (previous year: -4.0%).

As Dr. Stephen Kimmich, CFO and deputy CEO of Koenig & Bauer AG and responsible for the Special segment, explained, “Although our Q1 earnings reflect seasonal factors and we see further room for improvement in this respect, we expect to make up for these temporary effects in the further course of the year. With the introduction of our new segment structure, we will be able to operate in even greater alignment with the market in order to specifically improve our business performance.

“In combination with ‘Spotlight’, we are therefore driving forward the key initiatives and projects that will strengthen our profitability and secure it in the long term,” Dr. Kimmich added. “This clear strategic approach provides us with a stable basis – including for the implementation of the measures already initiated as part of our technological and organisational development. For this reason, we confirm our existing forecast.”

In the first quarter of 2025, Koenig & Bauer launched several groundbreaking initiatives.
Dr Alexander Blum was appointed CFO for a period of three years with effect from July 1, 2025. He joined the company on May 1, 2025 in the interests of a structured transition together with Dr. Kimmich, the current CFO and future CEO. Dr Blum has more than two decades of experience as a CFO in various industries, including IT, logistics and mechanical engineering.

One central digital transformation project entails the establishment of Koenig & Bauer Kyana GmbH. Effective April 1, 2025, the Digital unit, which had previously been managed centrally within the holding company, was spun off into a separate subsidiary in the Special & New Technologies segment. Kyana will be managed by Sandra Wagner, previously VP of Digitalisation at Koenig & Bauer

The situation with regard to economic policy remains challenging – especially in view of the planned US tariffs. These will not only affect Koenig & Bauer but also its main competitors, which are predominantly based in Europe.

In principle, higher tariffs could exert pressure on demand in the US market and thus pose a challenge for the entire industry. The extent to which this decline can be offset cannot be conclusively assessed at this stage. Against this backdrop, the Executive Board confirms its forecast.

Despite difficult and uncertain global economic and geopolitical conditions, Koenig & Bauer sees itself well positioned for 2025. Due to a historically high order backlog and additional savings from the “Spotlight” focus program, the Management Board anticipates a slight increase in revenue to €1.3 billion, accompanied by higher operating EBIT in a corridor of between €35 million and €50 million.