Based on provisional figures for financial year 2020/21 (April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021) that are yet to be audited, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has far exceeded its own growth predictions in the area of e-mobility. Soaring demand has resulted in sales of over € 20 million – some way above the target of around € 15 million communicated in the fall of 2020, which was already far higher than the figure of around € 10 million for the previous year. Furthermore, despite increased growth investments, Heidelberg has already achieved a positive margin for its electric vehicle charging stations (wallboxes). Since moving into this segment just three years ago on the basis of the technology expertise and innovation know-how available in-house, Heidelberg has increased its market share in German-speaking countries to approximately 20 percent. The company has sold some 45,000 wallboxes to end customers since 2018.
“With its wallboxes, Heidelberg has taken up a leading position in a market that is enjoying rapid growth. Demand for our products is booming, and we’ve significantly exceeded our sales targets for financial year 2020/21. Despite the start-up nature of the business, we’re already in the black. We intend to further increase the value of the Group as a whole by rapidly expanding our e-mobility portfolio,” says Heidelberg CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer.
Planned capacity expansion reflects dynamic growth in demand
Heidelberg is expecting this momentum to continue in financial year 2021/22, and industry experts are predicting growth rates exceeding 20 percent. Accordingly, the company is further expanding its production capacities at Heidelberg headquarters in Wiesloch-Walldorf. Having just commissioned the second production line, the target is to achieve a further doubling of capacity by the end of the year. With wallboxes currently being manufactured around the clock in three shifts, there are also plans to increase the number of staff working in this area from the current level of 100.
Additions to product portfolio, regional expansion, and further sales partnerships consolidate growth
Future growth is based on continuously adding to the product portfolio, but also on the planned regional expansion – in Europe to start with and on other continents at some point down the line. The company has also significantly increased the number of sales platforms being used. In addition to highly successful online sales through companies such as Amazon, products have also been available from retail outlets since April, and partnerships with energy suppliers such as E.ON are also having an increasingly positive impact.
As for adding to the product portfolio, the company has just announced the launch of the Heidelberg Combox system for web-based control of charging processes. This product innovation was showcased along with the entire e-mobility portfolio at the virtual Hannover Messe from April 12 to 16, 2021 (see also press release dated April 8, 2021). Customers appreciate the high quality, reliability, and robustness of Heidelberg wallboxes, and also their simple and versatile operation. Based on these criteria, the charging stations have already obtained top marks in various product comparisons, such as the latest comparative test of online magazine EFAHRER. Having already come out top in the 2019 test of German automobile association ADAC with a 1.1 (very good) rating, the Heidelberg Wallbox Home Eco unit once again led the field in the EFAHRER test on home charging stations for electric cars. The magazine’s assessment was as follows: “The Heidelberg Home Eco sets new standards when it comes to price and performance. Safe and easy to use, it ensures reliable charging up to 11 kW. The Home Eco benefits from high-quality workmanship and also impresses with its affordable price tag. To sum up, anyone who is looking for a safe and reliable 11 kW wallbox that is kind on the wallet need look no further than the Home Eco from Heidelberg.”
Transfer to dedicated company for faster expansion
Especially in view of the planned expansion and the capacity increases referred to above, Heidelberg is currently looking into numerous options for future cooperation, expansion, and financing. Spinning off wallbox business to a dedicated limited liability company (GmbH) is therefore the next logical step.
As Hundsdörfer explains: “We’re separating our wallbox activities from our core business to ensure they can develop even faster and more flexibly. We’re also open to working with strategic partners who offer complementary products. The move into e-mobility and wallboxes has become a real success story for us.”
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