Holger Reichardt is the Marketing and Sales Director for Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. He has been with the company since 1998. Holger studied aerospace technology and economics at the universities of Stuttgart, Kiel and Bremen. He has a Master's Degree in Business Economics. Before Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Holger worked for many years for IBM's European operation. 

The Heidelberg Group (Heidelberg) has developed from a traditional printing machine manufacturer into a solutions provider for the entire printing industry. Heidelbergs's component modules offer custom-made solutions, from individual products to total workflow, for both small family firms and big companies. Heidelberg provides state-of-the art products and services for every stage in the process chain. Says Reichardt, "They come with our worldwide service and swift spare parts deliveries. An extensive sales and service network means that Heidelberg is available to its business partners around the clock - and around the globe."

December, 2000


Reichardt says the firm continues to gain significant market share. "Our business has continued to grow strongly. In 1999/2000 the Heidelberg Group achieved sales of Euro 4.6 billion, 16.5% higher than in the previous year. Incoming orders also saw strong growth, reaching Euro 4.7 billion, up 39.3% - a new record. Our net profit after taxes was Euro 251 million." 

The company' current employee count is just under 25,000. As for Heidelberg's strengths, Reichardt says their move from the start of a print project to the end will continue to drive their growth. "The world of printing is subject to constant, dynamic change. The Heidelberg Group is an active player in this process. Our portfolio is geared towards the needs of our customers. As a result Heidelberg has removed the barriers that separated prepress, press and postpress." 

The firm prides itself on seeking out a custom solution instead of prepackaged, one size fits all approaches. Says Reichardt, "We support enterprises with customized, modular solutions, ranging from individual products to solutions covering the entire workflow. Our customers are therefore safe in the knowledge that their operating processes are being looked after by a reliable service provider. (Customers) are supported 365 days a year by a global service and sales network with 250 representations. And in return, we get to know exactly what current market requirements are." 

According to Reichardt, the company will continue to support open connectivity for their products. "The company always makes sure that third party products can be integrated into our solutions without any problems. So our solutions are anything but proprietary. Our customers' interests are our main priority. We strive to provide the customer with a long-term strategy for maximum investment security, thereby remaining a reliable partner." 

Reichardt says he really enjoys the people in this industry. "This makes our business very colorful and interesting. The considerable advantage of our industry is the printer's closeness to their customers. Modern information technology, in particular the Internet, is bringing about fundamental changes in the printing industry. This presents exciting new opportunities for us." 

As for the Internet slowing down the long-term growth of print, Reichardt thinks just the opposite. "More printing is being done than ever before. Even providers of information who only used to publish on the Internet are now starting to sell printed editions. However, media content is being created differently - it's now being presented in a digital, networked and integrated way. This ties in with a new way of printing. It is more personalized, more colorful, quicker, and takes place on-site. Heidelberg is already familiar with the individual requirements of a wide range of customer groups. And we are also in a position to meet these customer requirements locally and to deadline through appropriate preparation and logistics." 

Reichardt concludes, "To date, the overall image of the printing industry is more or less a 'too ponderous' one. The branch would have to point out its high tech skills. Heidelberg sees itself more as part of the communication industry than as a typical mechanical engineering company."