The Supervisory Board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has extended the contracts of Jürgen Otto (61), chairman of the executive board (CEO), and David Schmedding (49), executive board member for sales and technology (CSO), ahead of schedule. The new office terms will begin on July 1, 2026. Jürgen Otto’s contract has been extended until July 31, 2029, and is limited by the age limit. David Schmedding’s contract runs until June 30, 2031. With this decision, the supervisory board is sending a clear signal of continuity and stability at the top of the company.
Since the appointment of the current executive board on July 1, 2024, the management team has consistently driven forward the strategic development of Heidelberg. Under the leadership of Jürgen Otto and David Schmedding, Heidelberg has purposefully evolved from a leading company in the print media industry into a more broadly positioned technology company. In the process, significant strategic course corrections were made, and options were developed in both the core print and packaging business and the technology segment.
Martin Sonnenschein, chairman of the supervisory board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, stated, “The Supervisory Board is convinced of the strategic clarity, effectiveness, and passionate commitment of Jürgen Otto and Dr. David Schmedding. Since their appointment, the Executive Board has created financial leeway for Heidelberg, implemented strategic decisions, and increased the benefits for customers. The early contract extension is an expression of our confidence and a clear commitment to continuity and stability for employees and customers worldwide.”
Jürgen Otto, CEO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, said, “The Supervisory Board’s confidence is both a confirmation and an incentive for me. In recent years, we have strategically repositioned Heidelberg and taken important steps toward becoming a diversified high-tech company that better leverages its potential for existing and new customers. We will continue on this path with consistency, speed, and a clear focus on results.”
David Schmedding, executive board member for sales and technology, added, “We have further developed Heidelberg in terms of technology and market orientation and laid the foundation for future growth. I look forward to working with the Executive Board team and our employees to further increase customer value and expand our technological strength.”
