The press giant adds that given the continued robust demand and the persistently strong economic growth in this market, the effect on its business development will likely be only temporary.

Preliminary incoming orders in the first quarter amounted to €665m (€690m adjusted for exchange rate effects) and were in line with expectations. The higher order intake in the same quarter of the previous year was largely due to additional orders generated from the Ipex trade show held during that reporting period.

Heidelberg’s annual sales target in the medium term, which the company intends to achieve within the next two or three years, has been set at over €3bn.

A company statement outlines, “Assuming that the economic environment will continue to be generally stable, Heidelberg expects to gradually approach this target during the current and next financial year.

“Due to drupa 2012 and the ongoing upswing in the print media industry, the increase in sales in the next year should be greater than in the current financial year.”

Heidelberg will release additional information and explanations on this financial year’s first quarter results on August 9.

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