Linzbach came back to work at the beginning of this year and is undertaking his normal workload, the German-headquartered company has said.

Linzbach, who took over from long-term chief executive Bernhard Schreier with a turnaround mandate in 2012, had been ill for seven months.

In July last year, Heidelberg chief financial officer Dirk Kaliebe stepped in as interim chief executive.

In August 2014, he announced a major shake-up of its post-press operations, exiting some markets and cutting hundreds of jobs.

Heidelberg chairman of the supervisory board Siegfried Jaschinski said: “Over the past months, the management board has continued to press forward successfully with the company’s realignment. The company is well on track.

“The supervisory board is extremely pleased that Mr Linzbach has returned to join his colleagues on the management board as they take the next strategic steps.”

Heidelberg announced increased turnover in its half-year results. Sales were €1.16bn (£824m), up from €996m on the equivalent period the previous year.