Dow Jones received a payment from EQS/DGAP to publish this press release.
DGAP-Media / 2018-12-13 / 13:30
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is setting new competitive
standards in the global printing industry. By opening its new Innovation
Center (IVC) at the Wiesloch-Walldorf headquarters in Baden-Württemberg, the
company is stepping up its efforts to maintain its technology leadership and
shape the digital transformation process in the printing sector.
In addition to securing numerous jobs, the new Innovation Center also
substantiates a recent analysis published in October by the World Economic
Forum (WEF) in Geneva, which concluded that the innovative capability of
Germany is superior to any other country in the world, including the United
States. Only by investing over 100 million euros in research and development
every year has Heidelberg succeeded in emerging stronger from years of
structural change in the industry in these times of digital transformation.
"With its Innovation Center, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG is demonstrating
how a company can use the signs of the times to shape its future. Throughout
its history, the company has always combined a traditional engineering culture
with innovative technologies. This dovetailing is a vital factor in today's
opening of the printing industry's most advanced research facility," said
Minister President Winfried Kretschmann, who went on to call the newly opened
Innovation Center a leading light of mechanical engineering in
Baden-Württemberg.
Over 1,000 staff will immediately start working on the digital future of
Heidelberg and the printing industry at the new center. Newspaper and magazine
printing is in decline due to structural factors, but that is not the core
business of Heidelberg. Due primarily to packaging and label printing, the
industry as a whole is growing and generates annual sales exceeding 400
billion euros. Heidelberg is also increasingly unlocking new market segments
outside the graphic arts industry, such as electric mobility.
"Germany's mechanical engineering prowess is highly rated worldwide and we are
still the number one in this field. The purpose of our new think tank is to
ensure we continue to build on our technology leadership in the future - and
that includes the digitization of the print media industry," said Heidelberg
CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer.
By investing some 50 million euros in the new Innovation Center, Heidelberg is
aiming to gain a clear edge over its competitors around the globe in the
future. It has also helped Germany overtake Switzerland as Europe's most
competitive national economy and become the third most competitive country in
the world.
"Digitization in particular requires totally new forms of collaboration. With
its Innovation Center, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG is responding to the
challenges posed by a transformation process that is currently sweeping
through every sector. Here in Baden-Württemberg, where cutting-edge
technology, precision, and absolute reliability are an integral part of our
history and culture, the Heidelberg IVC is a shining example of how digital
transformation can succeed. By systematically networking various working
levels, the center is setting new standards in communication and agility,"
emphasized Kretschmann.
*Innovation Center offers staff a new working environment - entire development
process under one roof*
The new Innovation Center also marks the beginning of a new era for staff in
terms of their working environment. It uses ultra-modern, innovative
practices, with teamwork, communication, work at different locations, and a
combination of personal workstations and communication zones ensuring a
pleasant, creative atmosphere. "The IVC is now 'Open for Innovation' and marks
the start of a new approach to work at Heidelberg," explains Head of Research
& Development Frank Kropp. From developing an idea, securing a patent, and
creating a digital twin all the way through to approving individual components
and the product as a whole, the entire development process takes place within
the same four walls.
The building concept aims to make communication/teamwork between employees as
easy as possible. In addition to personal workstations, for example, there are
also office environments without any fixed assignment, relaxed seating areas,
and even options for working outdoors to encourage teamwork. What's more,
digital reviews are possible thanks to interactive monitors. A bistro, various
break areas, and kitchens for making coffee are available to employees and
guests alike. There are also numerous zones where people can take themselves
off to work in peace and quiet.
*Globally unique development environment*
The project to convert a former production hall where around 500 staff worked
into an Innovation Center for over 1,000 employees is a world first. A total
gross area of around 40,000 square meters at the Wiesloch-Walldorf site now
includes a state-of-the-art office area totaling some 26,000 square meters and
approximately 14,000 square meters for laboratories and testing. The office
area comprises 13 sections, each accommodating 80 staff, and a space of around
3,700 square meters has been set aside for the 43 laboratories alone. "The new
center is an innovation platform geared to communication and transparency,
which makes it the key to a change in culture at Heidelberg and also a symbol
of this change," concludes Stephan Plenz, member of the Heidelberg Management
Board responsible for Technology.
Images of the event:
https://www.heidelberg.com/global/en/company/press_1/press_kits/opening_innova
tion_center_wiesloch_2018/opening_innovation_center_wiesloch.jsp [1]
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: +49 (0)6222 82-67123
Fax: +49 (0)6222 82-67129
E-mail: thomas.fichtl@heidelberg.com
Investor Relations
Robin Karpp
Phone: +49 (0)6222 82-67120
Fax: +49 (0)6222 82-99 67120
E-Mail: robin.karpp@heidelberg.com
*Important note:*
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions
and estimations by the Management Board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
Aktiengesellschaft. Even though the Management Board is of the opinion that
those assumptions and estimations are realistic, the actual future development
and results may deviate substantially from these forward-looking statements
due to various factors, such as changes in the macro-economic situation, in
the exchange rates, in the interest rates, and in the print media industry.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft gives no warranty and does not
assume liability for any damages in case the future development and the
projected results do not correspond with the forward-looking statements
contained in this press release.
End of Media Release
Issuer: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
2018-12-13 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: +49 (0)6222 82-67121
Fax: +49 (0)6222 82-67129
E-mail: investorrelations@heidelberg.com
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
757653 2018-12-13
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2: https://link.cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=b7167552190c240f75388d7e9d64dc5b&application_id=757653&site_id=vwd&application_name=news
3: https://link.cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=df7df9f75e519b1d421606f060937c9e&application_id=757653&site_id=vwd&application_name=news
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 13, 2018 07:30 ET (12:30 GMT)
