Preliminary Figures for Fiscal Year 2002/2003 – Sales in Line with Expectations at 4.1 Billion Euro

• Operating profit 102 million Euro
• Profit before taxes and non-recurring expenditures 46 million Euro
• Efficiency-enhancing program extended due to dreary forecast

The sales figures recorded by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) for the 2002/2003 fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, were in line with expectations. Preliminary sales by the Heidelberg Group were around 4.1 billion Euro (previous year: 5 billion Euro). Incoming orders in the last fiscal year were about 4 billion Euro (previous year: almost 4.6 billion Euro). "We still find ourselves in a difficult economic climate", stated Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. "Throughout the print media industry worldwide investors remain very resistant."

The preliminary operating profit for the period under review was 102 million Euro (previous year: 356 million Euro). "The package of efficiency-enhancing measures approved in October 2002 has already been successful to a certain degree in absorbing the decline in profits resulting from the slump in sales", stated Heidelberg's CFO, Dr. Herbert Meyer. "Also, efforts to optimize capital expenditures, assets and receivables have delivered a positive free cash flow." The preliminary net result was 138 million Euro (previous year: 201 million Euro). This includes non-recurring expenditures of 210 million Euro before tax for the extended efficiency-enhancing program. The profit before tax excluding the one-off effect was 46 million Euro.

As of March 31, 2003, the Heidelberg Group had a workforce of 24,181 worldwide. This figure includes the some 550 employees from the companies of the Gallus Group and IDAB WAMAC International AB which were consolidated for the first time. Adjusted for this effect, this represents a reduction of around 1,500 employees compared to the previous year.

Development in the regions and divisions
Sales in North America, South America, Europe and the Middle East were affected very considerably by the continuing economic uncertainty and the resulting reticence to invest. Business developments in Eastern Europe were pleasing, with sales climbing almost 17 percent to just under 350 million Euro. In the Asia/Pacific region sales remained high at almost 900 million Euro. China in particular continues to be an important growth market for Heidelberg.

During the fourth quarter, sales by the Digital and Web Divisions reached break-even level. Over the fiscal year as a whole, however, business in both Divisions was less than satisfactory. The measures introduced in the Web Division showed signs of beginning to take effect. Towards the end of the fiscal year in particular, the Sheetfed Division felt the impact of increasingly tough competition in the USA and Germany, caused in part by currency exchange rates. The growth strategy pursued by the Postpress Division was furthered by the integration of the newly acquired companies IDAB WAMAC International AB and divisions of Jagenberg.

Dreary prospects for the 2003/2004 fiscal year
The continuing reticence of customers in the key markets USA and Germany to invest gives no grounds to expect any sustained revival in demand during the current fiscal year. Heidelberg's Management Board therefore anticipates that sales will decline during this period. Given the considerable uncertainties about the economic development over the next time, it is not possible at this early stage of the fiscal year to make a more specific forecast about sales and results.

Efficiency-enhancing program extended
Growth in the earnings power of the Heidelberg Group is to be achieved primarily through sustainable improvements in the cost structure. In this regard, the Management Board has extended the efficiency-enhancing program initiated in the fall of 2002 by a further savings potential of 80 million Euro per year.

All in all, the planned measures to cut costs will affect some additional 1,000 jobs worldwide. Details are currently being worked out and every effort will be made to keep the social impact as small as possible. Discussions with the relevant bodies concerning these measures are in preparation. The possibility of further closures of Heidelberg production sites worldwide is hereby also being examined.

The table with the figures is available on the Press Lounge at www.heidelberg.com.

For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Communications
Thomas Fichtl
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 47 47
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 69
E-Mail: thomas.fichtl@heidelberg.com

Important note
This Press Information contains statements about future development that are based on assumptions and estimates by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Even if the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are accurate, future actual developments and future actual results may differ significantly from these assumptions and estimates due to a variety of factors. These factors can include changes to the overall economic climate, changes to exchange rates and interest rates and changes in the graphic arts industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft provides no guarantee that future developments and the results actually achieved in the future will agree with the assumptions and estimates set out in this press release and assumes no liability for such.