Around 700 shareholders attended the Annual General Meeting of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) for financial year 2023/2024 at the Congress Center Rosengarten in Mannheim on Thursday. Just under 27,5 percent of Heidelberg's share capital was represented at the event. The Management Board explained the company's strategic direction, the balance sheet figures for the past financial year (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024) and the future outlook to the shareholders (link to Otto's speech).
At his first Annual General Meeting for the company, CEO Jürgen Otto emphasized: “I am convinced that we can and will create a good and successful future for Heidelberg.” One reason for this is the stable financial position that Heidelberg has achieved at the end of the 2023/2024 financial year. The company has generated a net profit for the third year in a row. In addition, Heidelberg is a “global technology pioneer for the printing industry” and a total solution provider for all modern printing processes. This offer led to the best order intake in recent years at the drupa trade fair at the start of the new 2024/2025 financial year. Jürgen Otto also emphasized the expertise within the company, which must be maintained as a strength.
Focus on growth strategy
The company is working flat out on a growth strategy in order to continue to counteract rising costs in the future. “Heidelberg must grow again in the future - especially in terms of turnover,” said Jürgen Otto. “We also need to maintain a high level of cost discipline, particularly with regard to personnel costs.”
Annual General Meeting elects three shareholder representatives to the Supervisory Board
The company's shareholders had to vote on nine of the ten items on the agenda at the Annual General Meeting, including the election of three of the six shareholder representatives on the Supervisory Board. Ms. Li Li (already a member of the Supervisory Board since 2019) and, for the first time, Ms. Karin Dohm and Mr. Jeppe Frandsen stood for election. In the resolution on the appointment of members of the Supervisory Board, the vast majority of those entitled to vote agreed with the candidates proposed by the management. All candidates will actively support the company on its path to a successful future with their skills and experience (link to AGM agenda with CVs of the candidates).
The terms of office of Supervisory Board members Dr. Fritz Oesterle and Ms Li Li expired at the end of the Annual General Meeting on 25 July 2024. In addition, Mr. Ferdinand Rüesch resigned from the Supervisory Board with effect from the end of the Annual General Meeting on 25 July 2024. The shareholders also passed eight other resolutions.