Heidelberg has used the 2001 downturn as an opportunity to rethink its market positions, organisation and processes.

But chairman Bernhard Schreier said: "Whatever we do internally will never negatively influence our relationship with customers on service, care and sales."

The group has combined its entire strategy into "three prongs": offset solutions; digital printing; and finishing.

Schreier was frank about the difficulties caused by the economic downturn, particularly in the US: "As a supplier that puts us in a difficult situation because we do not know when postponed orders will be realised again."

* Schreier confirmed that Heidelberg planned to acquire label press specialist Gallus, in which it took a 30% stake in 1999, "at the appropriate time".