Koenig & Bauer AG has seen an improvement in operating earnings in the second quarter of 2026, due in part to the company’s highest H1 order intake for eight years; up 16.9% to €709.3m
This combined with the operational turnaround of both segments, Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems and Special & New Technologies, and an improvement in cash generation has seen group revenue increase slightly by +1.4% to €558.2m.
“The significant growth in order intake of almost 17% in the first half of the year confirms the traction of our go-to-market strategy,” explains chief executive officer Stephen Kimmich. “With targeted innovations, we are noticeably strengthening our position in our core business. This momentum gives us the scope to continue systematically expanding our competitiveness. The optimisation of our structural costs remains a key lever for increasing our resilience and sustainably strengthening the foundation for profitable growth.”
Operating EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization) improved significantly in the half-year comparison by +20.5% to €14.1m (previous year: €11.7m), driven primarily by strong earnings momentum in the second quarter, in which the Group generated operating EBITDA of €17.0m. EBITDA of €7.4m (previous year: €7.5m) includes scheduled non-operating extraordinary items of €6.7m for the closure of operations at Albert-Frankenthal GmbH.
For the 2026 financial year, Koenig & Bauer expects a continuation of operational stability. Provided that underlying conditions remain stable, the company confirms its forecast of Group revenue at the prior-year level (approximately €1.3bn) and operating EBITDA of approximately €80m. The assumptions made in the forecast report are subject to the proviso that there is no prolonged military confrontation in the Middle East, no long-lasting disruption of international trade routes, no permanent energy price crisis, and no significant deterioration in the global investment climate.
