In the 2025 financial year, label and identification specialist Herma achieved a group turnover of 447.0 million euros. This turnover was 1.2 percent below the previous year's figure of 452.6 million euros. While domestic business declined by 4.4 percent, international business developed positively with an increase of 0.5 percent. The export ratio rose to 65.8 percent.
According to Herma, the economic conditions remained difficult. After two preceding years of recession, the German economy had barely escaped stagnation by 2025. Against this backdrop, international business once again proved to be an important stabilising factor.
„It once again became clear that we have set the priorities of our Herma 2030 strategy correctly, even against the backdrop of a weak economic environment. Diversification and internationalisation of our activities remain crucial cornerstones,“ emphasise the two managing directors, Dr. Guido Spachtholz and Oguzhan Celil.
Labelling machines grow against the industry trend
The three business units developed differently. The adhesive materials division recorded a sales decrease of 3.7 percent due to intensified competition in the European market and additional suppliers from the Far East. In contrast, the labels business unit saw a slight increase of 0.3 percent. Growth drivers were in particular the logistics and chemicals segments, as well as increases in the school supplies business, drugstores, and online retail.
The labelling machinery sector developed particularly positively. While German mechanical and plant engineering recorded a real production decrease of around five percent in the reporting year, Herma increased sales in this business segment by 8.5 percent. According to the company, new market segments and a stronger positioning in these markets contributed to this growth.
Profitable growth remains the goal for 2026
For the current financial year, Herma expects revenue growth in the low single-digit percentage range, despite persistently difficult market conditions. At the same time, the company continues to anticipate high competitive pressure and a strained earnings situation. However, Herma sees itself well-prepared due to its broad positioning and ongoing efficiency measures.
„In 2025, Herma's presence across the entire spectrum of technological expertise in numerous and diverse industries worldwide has once again proven to be stabilising,“ explain the two managing directors. „This means that concentrated negative market impulses do not have the same impact on business development. In any case, we are entering the also challenging, current financial year 2026 in unchanged good condition and are therefore optimistic, and we are sticking to the goal of profitable growth.“
The number of employees rose from 1,065 to 1,107 last year. The number of apprentices also increased from 61 to 68.
Source: Herma
