Koenig & Bauer closes the second quarter of 2025 with strong preliminary figures. At the same time, it is pursuing its strategy of focusing on reinforcing its profitability.

In this context, it will be reviewing the future alignment of Koenig & Bauer Coding GmbH. This would allow it to additionally concentrate on its core business in printing press engineering and related services.

“Despite a persistently challenging market environment, the preliminary strong Q2 figures confirm the effectiveness of our ‘Spotlight’ measures for strengthening our profitability on a sustained basis and for positioning the group to optimum effect for the future,” Dr. Stephen Kimmich, CEO of Koenig & Bauer AG, adds.

“Reviewing all options for coding business to harness the potential of this entity as effectively as possible is a logical and necessary step in enhancing our group focus as this company has limited synergistic overlap with our core business.”

Preliminary Figures

In the second quarter, revenue rose by 7.0% to €298.2 million on the basis of the preliminary figures. Preliminary order intake was valued at €361.7 million (previous year: €398.6 million).

This is a solid performance given the muted demand in the wake of the uncertainties surrounding US tariffs. There was also a high volume of orders around drupa in the strong same quarter of the previous year.

Even so, based on the preliminary figures, the order backlog increased to €1,096.3 million (up 7.4%). This is the highest figure in the company’s recent history. Preliminary EBIT rose by €24.1 million over the same quarter of the previous year to €0.4 million. Meanwhile, preliminary operating EBIT climbed by €22.7 million to €1.8 million.

This performance is in line with the full-year forecast for 2025. The group anticipates a slight increase in revenue to €1.3 billion, accompanied by higher operating EBIT in a corridor of €35 – 50 million. Target achievement is highly dependent on actual global economic and geopolitical developments over the next few months.

“The preliminary Q2 figures point to an improvement in our financial position, which we are further strengthening by means of consistent management within the framework of ‘Spotlight’, says Dr. Alexander Blum, CFO of Koenig & Bauer AG.

Strategic Review of Options for Coding GmbH

The improvement in earnings shows the positive effect of the almost fully implemented “Spotlight” focus program. Under this program, the group project portfolio has already been scaled back.

For example, the CSMetalCan for 2-piece beverage can printing has been discontinued. The complexity of the flexo segment has been reduced by eliminating certain press versions.

As a logical next step, the future alignment of Koenig & Bauer Coding GmbH is also under review. The rationale behind this is the limited overlap with the Group’s other core business.

Koenig & Bauer Coding GmbH, as a largely self-sufficient entity, addresses a downstream market. Its coding systems are typically used by the bottlers and packagers themselves. The review will consider all options for the coding business. This includes a joint venture, a partnership or a possible sale.

Koenig & Bauer Coding GmbH has approximately 300 employees. Located in Veitshöchheim, Germany, it is one of the leading suppliers in the market for industrial coding technologies. It has a robust financial profile. It is well established on the market with its product portfolio, which includes inkjet and laser systems.

Its customers encompass large international corporations active in food and beverages, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, as well as automotive and other industrial segments.

Koenig & Bauer Coding GmbH currently contributes stable revenue of around 4% to the Koenig & Bauer Group and offers good prospects for future growth.

“Our coding segment is a solid and well-managed business with committed employees and good market potential, which we would like to leverage as part of its targeted further development,” Dr. Kimmich says.