Koenig & Bauer has reported increased revenue and a significant improvement in operating profitability for the 2025 financial year, alongside a positive free cash flow and a higher order intake at the start of 2026.
Group revenue rose to €1.3 billion (£1.1 billion), up from €1.27 billion (£1.09 billion) in the previous year, while operating EBIT (earnings before interest, taxes) more than doubled to €36.6m (£31.3m) from €15.3m (£13.1m) in 2024, resulting in an operating EBIT margin of 2.8%. The company also reported a positive free cash flow of €7.2m (£6.2m) for the year, supported by strong cash inflows in the final quarter.
Both of the company’s segments contributed to improved performance. The Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems segment recorded revenue of €741.5m (£634.5m), with operating EBIT increasing to €25.0m (£21.4m). Order intake remained stable at €704.0m (£602.4m) following a strong previous year. The Special & New Technologies segment saw revenue increase by 6.8% to €596.0m (£510.0m), while achieving an operational turnaround with operating EBIT improving to €9.0m (£7.7m) from a loss of €15.4m (£13.2m) in the previous year.
The company has also introduced a new strategic framework, ‘IMPACT’, aimed at repositioning the business as an integrated technology provider. The framework focuses on six areas: intelligence, go-to-market, people, adaptability, competitiveness, and technology. It is intended to support long-term growth, with Koenig & Bauer targeting revenue potential of €1.5bn (£1.28bn) and an operating EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation) margin of at least 8% over the medium term.
Dr Stephen Kimmich, chief executive officer, said: “We are currently experiencing a global industrial and political turning point. The latest developments in the Middle East since the end of February are a clear reminder that volatility has long since become the ‘new normal’. Stability is no longer a static condition that can be relied on. Rather, high organisational responsiveness is essential. We are proving in this phase how stably Koenig & Bauer is positioned: We address the situation with a solid order backlog of €970.6m (£830.6m), and the experience in flexibly adapting processes to the respective situation. As the new strategic framework, ‘IMPACT’ defines our common direction to actively shape the future of the printing industry and secure operational resilience for the next decade.”
Koenig & Bauer expects stable business performance in 2026, with revenue forecast to remain at a similar level to 2025. The company has updated its guidance to focus on operating EBITDA, with a target of approximately €80m (£68.5m) for the year.
Dr Alexander Blum, chief financial officer, added: “We achieved a further successful increase in profitability in 2025. At the same time, the positive start to the year underlines our high level of robustness: A solid order backlog paired with good order intake in the first quarter of 2026, which is above the previous year’s level, secures our target achievement for the current financial year.”
