Heidelberg says the initial repercussions of the 11 September attacks have hit its provisional figures for the first half of 2001 and it forecasts weaker figures for the second half of the year.

The group said sales in September were 30% below last year and 63m (EUR100m) down on expectations, with its USA and Web Systems divisions suffering the brunt of the blow.

In previous forecasts Heidelberg had anticipated that the US economic recovery would begin in the second half of its current fiscal year.

But it said the downturn in the US may have consequences for European and Asian business, so it expects its sales in the second half to be further below last years levels than anticipated.

It expects first-half sales, which will be published on 9 November, to be up 4.8% to 1.44bn, with operating profit down 28% to 69m. Profit after tax will be 39m, down 12.5m from last year.

Sales and operating results in the groups sheetfed division will be in line with expectations.