Despite Solid Drupa, Heidelberg Makes Changes

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY—On the heels of a successful Drupa that produced 1.1 billion or more euros in new sales, press manufacturing heavyweight Heidelberg announced a cost-cutting plan aimed at generating 100 million euros in savings by 2011 to counter what it views as sluggishness in the market and rising costs.

Among the measures Heidelberg has planned is moving production of a small-format press to a site in the United States. The United States represents the largest market for the press, according to Heidelberg. Production plants in China and Slovakia will also be expanded.

Overall, 500 worldwide jobs will be shed by the end of FY 2010-2011. As of last March, Heidelberg Group employed 19,596 worldwide.