Change or chance: press maker Koenig & Bauer provides this AI visualisation of a Rubik's Cube to illustrate its “transformation from a traditional press manufacturer to an agile technology company”.

“With a small turn, the word ‘change’ is transformed to ‘chance’ – a symbolic reminder that transformation and opportunity are inextricably linked,” it says. “But the cube doesn't stop at one chance – the more it's turned, the more new chances and changes come to light.”

The vision accompanies a report that shows orders continued to grow despite ongoing global uncertainties and, at 245.2 million Euros, are slightly above last year.

The company has confirmed its annual forecast “with seasonal Q1 effects” and says its new segment structure, strategic initiatives and ‘Spotlight’ focus programme characterise the reporting quarter in a challenging market environment.

The order backlog is currently the highest it has been at the start of a year in recent company history at 1,032.8 million Euros, “providing a solid basis for coming quarters”. Group revenue, at 252.2 million Euros, is almost at last year's level, with the “subdued start to the year” attributed to seasonal factors.

Chief executive Andreas Pleßke says the quarter was characterised by the new segment structure, significant strategic initiatives and initial successes of the ‘Spotlight’ programme.

“The underlying conditions remain challenging – geopolitically and economically as well as in terms of industry and trade policy,” he says. “It is therefore all the more important for us to set the right accents with our strategic development.”

Non-operating negative extraordinary items in connection with the ‘Spotlight’ programme amounted to €-2.8 million, and although it achieved planned savings, temporary effects of around €5m, such as exchange rate fluctuations (around €2m) and project postponements with reporting-date cut-off effects, “exerted pressure on earnings”. Pleßke says these effects will be offset over the course of the year.