Chief executive Bernhard Schreier used this week's AGM to announce that thanks to a Drupa that "exceeded our expectations" orders were up to  865m. Two-thirds of which (665m) were taken at the show.

Preliminary sales were only up a modest 5m on last year's to 400m, once stripped of the divested digital and web division figures.

The strong Q1 order book means that for the first time in three years the print machinery giant has returned its German sites to a basic 35 hour week.

"In other words, there is no longer any need for short-time working or reduction in working time as set out in the collective wage agreement for safeguarding job," said Schreier.

He also used the AGM to describe his expanded duties following the departure of Klaus Spiegel from the management board (PrintWeek, 1 July).

"I will also be responsible for sales, marketing, product management, service, customer relations, customer satisfaction and a small number of group functions such as strategy and auditing," he said.

The firm hopes to build on its strong Q1 figures, which will be officially released on 9 August, by focusing on the sheetfed sector and driving forward with its Drupa launches.

"Drupa bought a new push in the print industry, making the next 12 months look much more positive than the last," said a spokesman.

Story by Darryl Danielli