Heidelberg looks back on record 2000/2001 fiscal year / Prospects for the current fiscal year - last year's high figures set to be repeated, despite uncertain g

Heidelberg (PROTEXT) - At the Annual General Meeting ofHeidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg), held in theStadthalle Heidelberg, Chairman of the Management Board BernhardSchreier looked back over the most successful fiscal year (April1, 2000 through March 31, 2001) in the company's history. Themilestones during the year included the opening of the PrintMedia Academy in Heidelberg, the drupa trade fair in Dusseldorfand the successful move into digital printing. The company succeeded in further extending its leadingposition in the graphic arts industry. The Heidelberg Groupachieved record results in fiscal 2000/2001. Sales rose by morethan 15% to Euro 5.3 billion (previous year: Euro 4.6 billion).Orders received also exhibited pleasing growth in all divisions,standing at around Euro 5.5 billion. This is 18% up on thecomparable figure for the highly successful previous year (justunder Euro 4.7 billion). The operating profit rose by around 10% from Euro 463 millionto Euro 506 million. The Heidelberg Group's profit for the yearincreased from Euro 251 million to Euro 283 million afteradjustment and, after accounting for special items, totaled Euro342 million. In his forecast for the progress of the current 2001/2002fiscal year, Mr. Schreier pointed out the effects of diminishingglobal economic growth for the graphic arts industry. "After ananticipated 3 percent at the start of the year, the globaleconomy will grow by less than 2% in 2001". This is somethingthat will impact on order books throughout the industry. In the first quarter (April 1 through June 30) of the fiscalyear, the company increased its sales by around 8% to Euro 1.1billion, compared to a figure of Euro 997 million in the sameperiod last year. The operating profit over the period underreview rose by just under 22% to Euro 45 million. For the firsttime ever, Heidelberg also benefited from the tax reform. Thisresulted in a significant increase in profits after tax from Euro21 million to Euro 29 million. Over the next few months, Mr. Schreier anticipates thatoverseas sales will drop noticeably as a result of the situationin the USA. "In the second half of the year (October 1, 2001through March 31, 2002), there will be a fall in the volume oforders received", he stated. Nevertheless, the company is aiming to maintain its sales andoperating result for the 2001/2002 fiscal year as a whole at thesame high level as last year. "Of course, we cannot exclude thepossibility that, if our customers' investment plans become moreuncertain, we may not be able to quite equal last year's figures,despite our cost-cutting measures", said Mr. Schreier. All in all, Heidelberg is looking to maintain its profitsafter tax and thus the profit per share at last year's highlevel. Mr. Schreier again highlighted the fact that the company iswell-equipped for the future. This can be seen from the successesat the international graphic arts industry's trade fair, Print,held in Chicago at the start of September. Heidelberg receivedorders there worth USD 345 million, of which more than 50% werein the Sheetfed Division. The sales launch of the NexPress 2100, thenew digital color press from the joint venture with Kodak, wasalso very successful. More than 70 machines were sold in Chicago. Editors: The results of the voting at the Annual GeneralMeeting will be made available after the event. ots Original Text Service: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInternet: http://www.presseportal.de Further information: ThomasFichtl Corporate Communications Tel. +49-6221 - 92 47 47 Fax:+49-6221 - 92 50 69 thomas.fichtl@de.heidelberg.com HeidelbergerDruckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft Corporate CommunicationsKurfuersten-Anlage 52 - 60 69115 Heidelberg Germany Phone +49-6221-92 50 60 Fax +49-62 21-92-5069 www.heidelberg.com

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