Founded in 1850 in Germany, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen marks 100 years in Japan alongside the 165th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Japan. The centennial underscores its established position in the country and the confidence Japanese printers continue to place in its technology and service capabilities.
Better known as just Heidelberg, the engineering company brings more than 175 years of experience to its role as a leading technology provider and system integrator for the printing industry. Its complete ecosystem for packaging and commercial printing includes machinery, software, consumables and technical support, providing customers with coordinated resources for complex production operations.
Japan frequently ranks among Heidelberg’s five largest markets. Packaging printing remains a primary industry driver alongside digital printing for commercial applications, while Japanese customers maintain extremely high expectations for quality, design and sustainability. Meeting those expectations requires dependable performance at each stage of engineering and production.
A century of cooperation with Japanese print shops has helped Heidelberg secure a share of the core sheetfed offset segment in Japan that is unusually high for a foreign machinery manufacturer. The result demonstrates the value customers place on German engineering, reliable output and continuous improvement in a highly competitive market.
At the same time, Japan is much more than an important sales market for Heidelberg. It is a source of innovation, operational excellence and technological inspiration.
“Throughout every generation of technological change, Heidelberg has focused on helping customers increase productivity, improve quality and strengthen competitiveness.”
David Schmedding, Member of Heidelberg’s Management Board
“The success of our customers comes first,” said David Schmedding, a member of Heidelberg’s management board. “Throughout every generation of technological change, Heidelberg has focused on helping customers increase productivity, improve quality and strengthen competitiveness.”
Automation, artificial-intelligence driven production and digital workflows are changing how printing operations function, while sustainable packaging and advanced manufacturing technologies are creating additional opportunities. Their adoption can improve automation, sustainability and production control within Japanese printing facilities, and Heidelberg is well positioned to help customers navigate this transformation and unlock further potential.
Heidelberg proudly celebrates 100 years in Japan, serving customers with a staff of around 225 people all over the country. Their work translates the company’s international capabilities into practical solutions for Japanese print shops and sustains customer relationships developed over generations.
