HEIDELBERG, Germany--June 7, 2006-- Heidelberg increased sales and earnings substantially in financial year 2005/2006 (April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006). "Heidelberg's figures for the last financial year prove we have continued to increase our profitability," said Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. "Earnings per share rose from 0.64 Euro to 1.58 Euro. The planned dividend of 0.65 Euro per share - more than double the amount for the previous year - means our shareholders will also benefit from the positive development in the company." Sales by the Heidelberg Group during the period under review grew twelve percent to 3.586 billion Euro (previous year: 3.207 billion Euro). Incoming orders in the financial year ending March 31, 2006 were 3.605 billion Euro (previous year, including orders received at drupa: 3.508 billion Euro) and were therefore around three percent higher than last year's already high figure and well above expectations. At around 1 billion Euro, the order backlog at March 31, 2006 was on a par with the previous year's very high figures. In the period under review, the Heidelberg Group improved the previous year's operating result by 31 percent to 277 million Euro (continuing operations previous year: 211 million Euro). This produced an EBIT yield of 7.7 percent of sales in line with expectations. At 135 million Euro, net profit more than doubled in comparison to the previous year (previous year, including discontinuing operations: 59 million Euro). This corresponds to a return on sales after tax of 3.8 percent. At 149 million Euro, free cash flow was above expectations - and already included the transfer of pension funding provisions amounting to 124 million Euro. "We expect the positive trend in the print media industry to continue for 2006," said Dr. Herbert Meyer, the company's CFO. "The new financial year got off to a very satisfying start, thanks to positive trade show activity at IPEX in April and several large orders from Asia. We anticipate further increases in sales and operating result for the full financial year 2006/2007."