Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG: New Heidelberg Digital Unit boosts e-commerce business, online presence, and digital marketing expertise

Dow Jones received a payment from EQS/DGAP to publish this press release.

DGAP-Media / 2018-05-23 / 10:25 
 
· *Company looking to become industry's leading digital ecosystem* 
 
· *New value-added offerings being developed based on performance data 
from machines installed worldwide* 
 
· *Global marketing and e-commerce activities combined in Heidelberg 
Digital Unit (*https://hdu.heidelberg.com [1]*)* 
 
· *Ambitious growth targets for HDU start-up at Wiesloch-Walldorf site* 
 
· *Partnership with Internet specialist iQ!* 
 
With the launch of the Heidelberg Digital Unit - HDU 
(https://hdu.heidelberg.com [1]) - Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG 
(Heidelberg) is realigning its e-commerce and digital marketing activities 
and is on course to achieve its goal of establishing the print media 
industry's leading digital ecosystem. The company's exclusive partner for 
this initiative is IoT (Internet of Things) specialist iQ! GmbH based in 
Munich. iQ! will give the HDU rapid access to digital expertise and both 
e-commerce and big data know-how. 
 
The HDU's task is to create a single omnichannel platform that combines, 
harmonizes, and coordinates the company's various sales channels. The new 
digital unit also covers all marketing activities that focus on expanding 
and shaping the digital customer experience when initiating business and 
during ongoing customer contact. This means customers can expect consistent 
service across all functions at Heidelberg and advice on all products 
according to their specific needs. As well as expanding its e-commerce 
platform, Heidelberg will for its part benefit from efficiency gains when 
supplying consumables and services. 
 
"We founded the Heidelberg Digital Unit to create a platform that gives our 
customers the world's leading digital ecosystem in the industry," says 
Professor Ulrich Hermann, member of the Management Board and Chief Digital 
Officer at Heidelberg. "In an initial step, customers can order and pay for 
all key consumables, services, spares, and wear parts required for print 
shop operation online on dedicated websites. We'll gradually be extending 
the portfolio in the direction of our new digital business models such as 
the subscription model," he adds. 
 
*HDU develops digital value-added offerings from data knowledge * 
The Smart Print Shop that Heidelberg has been offering its customers since 
drupa 2016 is based on extensive software integration and connection of 
installed equipment to the Heidelberg cloud. This also represents a shift in 
the focus of customer relations. The one-time sale alone is no longer the 
key factor, but rather maximizing value added for customers over a lengthy 
period. This also means new sales and marketing requirements for Heidelberg 
together with segmentation and customization options. 
 
The machines connected via the cloud and the data/software expertise 
provided by Heidelberg lay the foundation for the HDU to offer customers 
continuous service and additional benefits for which they are prepared to 
pay. This is also a way of observing and analyzing customer needs and 
satisfaction directly instead of relying on market research and customer 
surveys. In addition, using data and software not only to ascertain at any 
given time whether and how customers are benefiting from full capacity 
utilization, but also to predict print shop operating statuses forms the 
basis of the new Heidelberg subscription model under which customers only 
pay for usage, that is to say the number of sheets printed. 
 
*HDU start-up intended to significantly boost Heidelberg e-commerce sales * 
Organizationally speaking, the HDU is a subsidiary of Heidelberg at the 
Wiesloch-Walldorf site. It takes the form of a digital start-up with a 
modern workspace in an old factory building and harnesses synergies with the 
company's IT and software expertise at this site. Branches have already been 
established in China, the United States, and Asia. Heidelberg is looking to 
use the HDU to significantly increase its global e-commerce sales, which 
currently amount to EUR100 million. It is starting out with 50 employees and 
is set to grow quickly as e-commerce business increases. The digital 
start-up will also appeal to a new generation of employees with its 
state-of-the-art working environment. 
 
Rainer Wiedmann, the owner and founder of iQ! GmbH, is in charge of the HDU 
and also Chief Marketing Officer at Heidelberg. "We see Heidelberg as being 
ideally placed to create the print media industry's number one ecosystem. 
The company's leading position on the global market and the executive 
management's commitment to the digital transformation are key factors in 
this respect. We're also contributing our experience from over 20 years of 
digital marketing, including the creation and operation of e-commerce 
platforms," he stresses. 
 
For information about the HDU and its projects, go to 
https://hdu.heidelberg.com [1]. 
 
· Initial project results include a facelift of the Heidelberg website 
www.heidelberg.com [2] 
 
· and preparations for the market launch of the Heidelberg Wallbox Home 
Eco charging device for electric vehicles. 
 
*Figure: *The new HDU is starting out with 50 employees and developing 
innovative digital sales, marketing, and service solutions for all stages 
of the customer journey. 
 
For additional details about the company and image material, please visit 
the Press Lounge of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at www.heidelberg.com 
[2]. 
 
Heidelberg IR now on Twitter: 
Link to the IR Twitter channel: https://twitter.com/Heidelberg_IR [3] 
On Twitter under the name: @Heidelberg_IR 
 
Contact: 
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG 
 
Corporate Public Relations 
Thomas Fichtl 
Phone: [phone] 
Fax: [phone] 
E-mail: [e-mail] 
 
Investor Relations 
Robin Karpp 
Phone: [phone] 
Fax: [phone] 67120 
E-Mail: [e-mail] 
 
End of Media Release 
 
Issuer: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG 
Key word(s): Enterprise 
 
2018-05-23 Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by DGAP - a service 
of EQS Group AG. 
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 
 
The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, 
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. 
Archive at www.dgap.de 
Language: English 
Company:  Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG 
          Kurfürsten-Anlage 52-60 
          69115 Heidelberg 
          Germany 
Phone:    [phone] 
Fax:      [phone] 
E-mail:   [e-mail] 
Internet: www.heidelberg.com 
ISIN:     DE0007314007 
WKN:      731400 
Indices:  SDAX 
Listed:   Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated 
          Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, 
          Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange 
 
End of News DGAP Media 
 
688695 2018-05-23 
 
 
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 23, 2018 04:25 ET (08:25 GMT)