Printing Company Heidelberg Ventures into Defense Sector - Intensifying Tension in the Weapons Manufacturing Sector in Heidelberg
In a significant move, Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG, the machinery manufacturer headquartered in Wiesloch, Germany, has announced its entry into the defense industry. The company has partnered with Vincorion Advanced Systems GmbH, a company specializing in power supply systems for the defense industry and headquartered in Wedel, Schleswig-Holstein.
This collaboration is set to span several years and promises to be a foundation for expanding Heidelberg’s role in defense technology and industrial production. Heidelberg will be responsible for developing control systems and power distribution systems for Vincorion, leveraging its expertise in power electronics, mechatronics, pneumatics, software, and electrical engineering.
The partnership is expected to generate at least €100 million in revenue for Heidelberg over the next three years, indicating significant growth potential. The first concrete project from the defense industry that Heidelberg can announce is part of this partnership.
Jürgen Otto, the CEO of Heidelberg Druckmaschinen, made a statement to the financial news agency dpa-AFX, expressing the company's excitement about the new venture. However, he did not claim that Heidelberg Druckmaschinen is SDax-listed.
Heidelberg Druckmaschinen is known for its diversified industrial capabilities, developing and manufacturing everything in-house, from foundry, mechanical processing, to software, electronics, and electrical engineering. The company's entry into the defense industry is seen as a pivot from their traditional printing technology focus toward becoming a diversified industrial player.
The move is well-timed, given the growing defense market, which benefits from increased government armament programs spurred by geopolitical tensions such as the Ukraine war and Middle East conflicts. Heidelberg aims to secure a place in this market by focusing on cross-sector diversification, building technological sovereignty, and securing supply chains domestically, aligning with European and German policy priorities for defense industrial independence.
The news of Heidelberg Druckmaschinen entering the defense industry was well-received on the stock market, with the company's stock temporarily soaring by over 30 percent due to the announcement. The company's goal is to become a reliable partner in security-relevant industries, focusing on complex systems industrialization and rapid scaling capabilities, positioning it competitively in heavy engineering sectors relevant to defense.
[1] Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG enters defense sector [2] Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG enters defense industry [3] Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG to focus on defense sector [4] Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG and Vincorion Advanced Systems partner for defense
[5] Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG's entry into the defense industry is a strategic move aimed at diversifying its business beyond printing technology and bolstering its role in various sectors.
[6] This partnership with Vincorion Advanced Systems GmbH is expected to allow Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG to capitalize on vocational training opportunities in the defense sector, particularly in areas such as power electronics, mechatronics, and software engineering.
