Endress+Hauser benefited from a strong business environment in 2017 and introduced a wide range of product innovations, including the first digital services offering. Numerous new hires, substantial investments and great strides in the area of sustainability underscore the group’s balanced growth.
In 2017 net sales rose 4.8% to €2.241bn. The appreciation of the euro against most other currencies distorts the picture, however. “When adjusted for local currencies, we grew at a 6.5% rate; the instrumentation business enjoyed 8% growth,” said Chief Executive Officer Matthias Altendorf during the group’s annual media conference in Basel. “We are confident that Endress+Hauser has strengthened its market position.”
A strong consumer business environment, stabilising oil prices and low interest rates in 2017 led to greater investment activity in the process industry. “Apart from having to expand capacity, companies were looking for ways to produce more competitively, reliably and sustainably,” said Matthias.
“The business performed well across practically all regions and industries,” he reported. Innovative technologies gave significant impetus to business. Endress+Hauser launched 57 new products and 571 instrument options last year. Expenditure on research and development rose to €170.7m, which equates to 7.6% of sales.
Endress+Hauser improved operating profit (EBIT) by 15% to €251.7m. Profit before taxes (EBT) rose 24.9% to €275.6m. Net income grew by 34.2% to €209.1m.
“One of the strategic key performance indicators in this respect is the EcoVadis benchmark, which rates supplier sustainability. In 2017 Endress+Hauser scored 66 out of 100 points to place in the top two percent of all companies that were evaluated,” commented Matthias.
The group is planning growth in the mid-single-digit range and anticipates profitability remaining at the current level without extraordinary effects. €223m has been set aside for investments.
For more information, visit: www.us.endress.com
9th May 2018
