Heidelberg celebrates 175 years of print excellence

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is celebrating its 175th anniversary, marking a legacy of innovation and leadership in the global printing industry. What began on 11 March 1850 as a small bell foundry and machine shop named Hemmer, Hamm & Co. in Frankenthal has evolved into a powerhouse of precision, quality, and technology, continuously shaping the sector.

“A company that can sustain its success over such a long period, become a world leader in its industry, and continue to shape the entire sector right up to the present day has strong credentials that are testament to its innovative capabilities. The defining feature of Heidelberg is the company’s understanding of markets, customers, and exceptional product quality,” said Jürgen Otto, CEO of Heidelberg. He affirms the company’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening its leading position in the years to come.

Heidelberg’s growth strategy is anchored in its core businesses, including packaging and digital printing, software, and lifecycle products. “We see significant growth potential in industrial digital printing, where we have expanded our portfolio to include services and consumables. Global orders confirm that demand for our digital printing solutions will rise substantially from the next financial year,” said Otto. Market assessments suggest the global digital printing market accessible to Heidelberg will grow from around Euro 5-billion to Euro 7.5-billion by 2029.

With a presence in approximately 170 countries, Heidelberg also boasts the industry’s most comprehensive service network, reinforcing its lifecycle business. Meanwhile, packaging printing has emerged as a major driver of growth, accounting for more than half of the company’s sales. “The demand for recyclable, fibre-based packaging is growing rapidly as industries shift away from plastics and films. This trend is directly benefiting Heidelberg, and we expect our packaging segment to continue expanding,” Otto explained.

Heidelberg showcased the Jetfire 50 for industrial digital printing at Drupa 2024

Heidelberg entered India in 1992 through a collaboration with MSL Graphics (Mahindra Spicer), utilising its distribution network to introduce advanced printing technology to Indian customers. Building on this foundation, Heidelberg expanded its presence in 1993 by partnering with M&M Graphics (Mahindra & Mahindra Graphics), which further deepened its market penetration and reinforced its commitment to the Indian print sector.

In 1994, Heidelberg teamed up with EAC Graphics (East Asiatic Company), broadening its service capabilities and strengthening its customer base across India. Recognising the significant potential of the Indian market, Heidelberg shifted from partnerships to direct operations in 1999 with the establishment of Heidelberg India in Chennai. 

Technological innovation remains at the heart of Heidelberg’s strategy. The company pioneered autonomous print production with its Push to Stop concept in 2016, which minimises operator intervention. “We are now taking automation further with AI-assisted Prinect Touch Free workflow, introduced at Drupa 2024. This technology optimises job assignments across offset, digital, and post-press operations, ensuring efficiency and competitiveness for our customers,” said Otto.

Heidelberg moved into robotics in 2020

Beyond the printing sector, Heidelberg is expanding its footprint in industrial business and green technologies, including high-precision mechanical engineering, automotive applications, charging infrastructure, software, and hydrogen technologies. “Looking ahead to 2028/2029, we see overall growth potential exceeding Euro 300-million, driven by our strategic initiatives and a more efficient organisation,” Otto stated.

As Heidelberg marks this milestone, 2025 will be a year of commemorations. The company is planning a series of events for customers, partners, political leaders, and civil society representatives, culminating in a week of celebrations in June at its largest production site in Wiesloch-Walldorf, Germany. The Heidelberg customer demonstration centre has been transformed into the “Home of Print” for the occasion. Employees and their families will also be part of the celebrations, with family days scheduled at various locations. An anniversary magazine will provide insights into the company’s journey and vision for the future.

“The loyalty of Heidelberg customers, partners, and staff is a mainstay of the company’s success. The numerous anniversary activities throughout the year are our way of saying thank you to everyone. At the same time, we want to encourage a shared commitment to shaping the future,” said Dr David Schmedding, chief technology and sales officer at Heidelberg.