Sales came in at €544m ($722.1m), which were in line with the previous year’s results after €19m of exchange rate effects were taken into account but still fell short of expectations.

The manufacturer said the situations in Japan and major growth market China would only having a temporary effect on its business development, but would push some sales into the following quarters.

Preliminary incoming orders during the first quarter amounted to €665m, which were in line with company expectations and up on the €637m recorded the previous quarter.

Heidelberg has set its annual medium-term sales targets at €3bn and predicts that next year’s Drupa show will have a positive effect on sales.

The manufacturer will release a detailed run down of its first quarter results on 9 August 2011.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter