- Half-year figures confirmed: 3.5% increase in revenue to €550.4m, 70% improvement in operating EBIT – guidance for 2025 confirmed
- Strategic framework defined: four clear thrusts and the “Customer First” guiding principle as a compass for the future
- Forward-looking initiatives being implemented: “AI Empower 25” programme with Google partnership and successful proof of concept with PowerCo in the field of battery cell production testifying to innovativeness
- Systematic focus: strategic review of Coding GmbH as a logical step towards strengthening core business
- 40 years on the capital market: the company is using this anniversary at Capital Markets Day as a starting signal for the “age of performance”
© Koenig & Bauer
Koenig & Bauer, a leading global technology provider of special printing applications with a particular focus on the packaging sector, today published its report on the first half of 2025 and confirmed its positive business performance in the first half of the year. At the heart of the company’s performance are the systematic measures that it is bundling under the motto “Focus in Action”. These have already generated a significant improvement in earnings and are laying the foundations for further profitable growth. The publication of the report coincides with the 40th anniversary of the company’s stock exchange listing, which is being recognised today at a capital markets day in Frankfurt/Main.
“The figures for the first half of the year are clear proof that we are headed in the right direction,” says Dr Stephen Kimmich, Chief Executive Officer of Koenig & Bauer AG. “With specific initiatives such as “AI Empower 25” and the pioneering spirit being imbued through forward-looking technologies such as battery coating, we are demonstrating that we are not merely managing but also actively shaping the transformation process.”
Details of strong business performance
Group revenue climbed by 3.5% to €550.4m in the first half of the year, driven in particular by the second quarter, which saw revenue grow by 7.0% to €298.2m. At €1,096.3m, the order backlog was up 7.4% on the previous year, marking the highest figure in the company’s recent history. Order intake reached €606.9m in the same period; this is a solid figure given the muted demand in the wake of the uncertainties surrounding US tariffs and the large order intake that had been registered in connection with drupa in the previous year.
The positive trend is particularly evident in profitability, with operating EBIT improving by 69.1% year-on-year to €-9.6m. This performance benefited from the planned savings under the “Spotlight” programme. On balance, free cash flow amounted to €-83.7m (previous year: €-27.7m), mainly due to the expected increase in net working capital.
Dr Alexander Blum, Chief Financial Officer of Koenig & Bauer AG comments: “In view of the challenges arising from the new trade policies in the United States, our focus on strengthening profitability is more important than ever. The high order backlog provides us with a solid basis for this. We are systematically leveraging the measures under our “Spotlight” programme to gradually and sustainably improve the Group’s profitability through enhanced efficiency and cost management.”
Strategy in action: forward-looking initiatives and consistent focus
The favourable business performance is the result of a clear strategic orientation. The path into the “age of performance” is based on an strategic framework with four clear thrusts: go-to-market, competitiveness, resilience and intelligence, all serving the “Customer First” guiding principle. This framework is already being implemented through concrete projects:
Intelligence & Customer First: via the “AI Empower 25” programme and a partnership with Google, Koenig & Bauer is boosting internal efficiency. Externally, the new Koenig & Bauer Kyana unit is developing AI-supported customer solutions.
Resilience & go-to-market focus: the successful development partnership with Volkswagen subsidiary PowerCo SE for sustainable battery cell production demonstrates the ability to transfer core competencies to new markets of the future.
Consistent focus: a review of the future alignment of Koenig & Bauer Coding GmbH has been initiated as a logical step in the strategy. This review is considering all options, including a joint venture, a partnership or a possible sale.
40 years on the capital market and outlook
Today marks not only the publication of the figures for the first half of the year but also the 40th anniversary of the initial listing of the Koenig & Bauer share on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 6 August 1985. This move was not a given, but a deliberate, strategic decision to share the company’s strengths to gain new momentum for growth and technological leadership. It aligned the company to the rhythm and the “heartbeat of the stock market”.
© martinjoppen.de & Deutsche Börse
Koenig & Bauer confirms its full-year guidance for 2025. The Executive Board anticipates a slight increase in revenue to €1.3bn, accompanied by higher operating EBIT in a corridor of between €35m and €50m. The historically high order backlog and additional savings from the “Spotlight” focus programme are providing the underpinnings for this forecast. At the same time, the company is monitoring the trade policy situation. The new tariff cap of 15% on the majority of EU exports, which applies from 1 August 2025, together with the current EUR/USD exchange rate, will make Koenig & Bauer’s presses and equipment more expensive in the United States.
The interim report on the first half of 2025 is available as a PDF file [here].