Contrary to the decline in German mechanical engineering reported by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), the corresponding area at Herma with labeling machines and systems is developing significantly positively. A sector order deficit of around eight percent was offset by a sales increase of a good six percent to 62.9 million euros for Herma's machinery division in 2024. The company, based in Filderstadt, announced this at the end of April.
The provider of labeling solutions attributes its stable economic situation to new market and customer segments as well as increased international activities.
"In
the first quarter of 2025, we continued to grow," explains Herma division manager Martin Kühl. "In the medium term, we are focusing on complementary technologies for the core function of labeling, for example, robotics solutions. In addition, there are more demanding labeling tasks in numerous, partly new packaging and product segments. And this also in newly developed Asian and American as well as Middle Eastern markets."
Specializations by Country Market
One strength of the division is to be on-site in markets with corresponding demand and thus close to the customer with specialized know-how.
For example, the mechanical engineering subsidiary in the USA is specialized in pharmaceutical solutions, the one in the UK in food applications and special machines. The French location operates particularly strongly in the cosmetics market, and in Austria, print-and-apply applications are focused on for increased logistics efficiency. Due to the good sales situation, Herma's division is one of the currently only 15 percent of companies in mechanical engineering that still want to expand their core workforce.
"We will continue to strengthen in the core areas of new technologies and the internationalization of the
division to convince our customers of Herma in the future as well. In addition to the positions we create due to our growth, we are also especially looking for reinforcement in the service area," emphasizes Kühl.
In 2024, the 50,000th Herma labeler rolled off the assembly line.
"This also creates higher demand for customized service packages, preventive maintenance, and smart online maintenance modules," says Kühl.
For the full year 2025, the division is aiming for another significant increase in sales and wants to further decouple from the forecasted weak industry sales, according to
