Koenig & Bauer has started the 2026 financial year with strong operating momentum, recording the highest order intake in a first quarter for two years, despite a persistently volatile market environment, geopolitical risks due to the escalation in the Middle East, and a weak global economy.
Group revenue rose in the first quarter by +3.2 per cent to €260.2m (AUD$422.1m). A strong book-to-bill ratio of 1.14 underlines this operating growth momentum. Order intake for the Group rose significantly by +21.4 per cent to €297.6m ($482.7).
At €1.1bn ($1.6bn), the order backlog remains at a very strong level above the billion mark and forms a reliable foundation for the coming quarters.
“The strong start to the year in order intake is a massive vote of confidence from our customers and proves the pronounced resilience of Koenig & Bauer,” explains Dr Stephen Kimmich, chief executive officer.
“As already emphasised with our annual figures, in times of global trade policy uncertainty, stability is not a static state, but requires a high degree of organisational responsiveness.
“Our significant growth in order intake against the industry trend shows that we are doing our homework. This also includes the consistent implementation of our ‘IMPACT’ strategy. We are providing the right impetus, actively shaping the industry transformation and securing our long-term competitiveness.”
After a typically cautious start to the year for mechanical engineering, operating EBITDA stood at -€2.9m (-$4.7m). EBITDA of -€9.5m (-$15.4m) includes non-operating extraordinary items of €6.6m ($10.7m) for the planned closure of the operations at Albert-Frankenthal.
Net working capital (NWC) was kept securely within the target range of a maximum of 25 per cent of Group revenue with a ratio of 23.7 per cent.
Koenig & Bauer expects operating stability to continue for the 2026 financial year.
“Our order book of over one billion Euros and the highest Q1 order intake for two years cushion external market resistance and provide us with a high degree of planning certainty,” said Dr Alexander Blum, chief financial officer at Koenig & Bauer.
Assuming that global economic developments in the relevant markets remain stable and that prompt clarity is provided regarding any further US import tariffs, the Executive Board forecasts Group revenue at the previous year's level, as well as an operating EBITDA of approximately €80m ($129.8m) for 2026, consistent with the previous year.
The forecast is subject to there being no further significant clouding of the global investment climate due to persistent geopolitical tensions.