Heidelberg marks 20 years of Shanghai production

The Chinese site, which began operations in 2005, has gradually expanded its portfolio from finishing equipment to medium and large format Speedmaster models including the CX 92, SX 102, and CX 104. The plant produced around 1,500 printing units in the 2024/25 financial year, supplying equipment to customers in 70 countries, with an export ratio of approximately 40 percent. In total, the plant has delivered more than 16,000 printing and coating units and nearly 3,300 presses.

Jürgen Otto, CEO of Heidelberg, said the investment in local capability is aligned with the company’s broader development plan. “Our Shanghai plant is particularly representative of the growth strategy of Heidelberg for its core business and underscores our strong market position in China. It shows how local production, technological excellence, and international cooperation lead to global success,” he explained during the anniversary celebration.

The facility covers close to 1,00,000 square metres, including around 70,000-sqm of production space across three assembly halls. It currently employs approximately 600 staff. With the Print Media Centre in Shanghai opened in 2015, the site also functions as a demonstration and training hub for customers across the Asia-Pacific region.

According to Heidelberg, packaging printing continues to be a driver for the Chinese print market, with folding carton output growing at roughly 3% annually. The company estimates that about three-quarters of its Chinese customers operate in packaging, and it holds around a 50% market share in sheetfed offset systems in the country. Commercial print also remains important as shorter runs and customised applications expand demand for flexible production options supported by digital technologies.

Michael Nilges, head of the Shanghai site, said teamwork has shaped the plant’s progress. “The success story of the Heidelberg Shanghai site is closely linked to the commitment of its employees. The culture is performance-oriented and pragmatic, with a family-like cohesion. The cooperation between German and Chinese teams is living proof of our company’s intercultural strength,” he said.

Heidelberg continues to invest in technology upgrades at the site, including a refresh of the Print Media Centre modelled on the company’s Home of Print facility in Wiesloch-Walldorf. More than 350 international visitors are expected to engage with the updated installation in the current year.