Heidelberg first-quarter sales rose from last year, but orders have decreased compared with its bumper Drupa 2000.


For the quarter from 1 April to 30 June, Heidelbergs sales were up 8% to 682.3m (E1.1bn), but orders received fell to 806.4m from 1.12bn during last years Drupa quarter. Operating profit rose 22% to 27.91m.


Heidelberg chairman Bernhard Schreier said: "Based on the results of the first quarter, we are confident of our ability to improve both sales and profits during the course of the fiscal year as a whole."


Sales in Heidelbergs sheetfed division increased 17% to 452m, while the web systems division made an operating loss of 22.3m on sales of 62m after costs and non-recurring items.


Digital sales increased 5% to 99.9m, but operating losses rose from 14.8m last year to 24.2m.


The firm said that the increase was due to the market launch of the NexPress and the expansion of its sales and distribution network.