Press maker Koenig & Bauer says its ‘Focus in action’ programme is having an effect with strong figures ahead of the fortieth anniversary of its stock market listing.

Half-year figures confirmed a 3.5 per cent increase in revenue to 550.4 million Euros (A$982.58 million) and a 70 per cent improvement in operating EBIT.

Measures under the ‘Focus in Action’ motto have already generated “a significant improvement” in earnings and are laying the foundations for further profitable growth, the company says.

“The figures are clear proof that we are headed in the right direction,” says chief executive Stephen Kimmich. “With specific initiatives such as ‘AI Empower 25’ and the pioneering spirit being imbued through forward-looking technologies such as battery coating, we are demonstrating that we are not merely managing, but also actively shaping the transformation process.”

The first half growth – driven by a strong second quarter – brought the order backlog to 1,096.3 million Euros, up 7.4 per cent on the previous year, and the highest figure in the company’s recent history. Order intake reached 606.9 million Euros in the same period.

Chief financial officer Alexander Blum says the focus on strengthening profitability is more important than ever, given the challenges arising from new trade policies in the US. “The high order backlog provides us with a solid basis for this.”

A review of “future alignment” of Koenig & Bauer Coding GmbH has been initiated, “considering all options, including a joint venture, a partnership or a possible sale”.

The interim report on the first half of 2025 is available as a PDF file here.

Pictured: Symbol of 40 years on the capital market – the Koenig & Bauer logo in the round banner of the Frankfurt trading hall