Hilti Group reports 4.9 percent increase of its sales in local currencies during the first 8 months of the year

Schaan (FL), 22-9-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — In the first eight months of the current year, the Hilti Group has grown sales in local currencies by 4.9 percent. Sales in Swiss Francs decreased by 3.2 percent. The company is confident to keep both operating result and net income at last year’s levels and to achieve the goals set for 2015.

Eight months into the year, the Hilti Group has posted positive sales growth in local currencies throughout all market regions. In Europe, sales were up 2.9 percent, with particular impetus coming out of Northern Europe while also some Southern European countries have shown signs of improvement. Due to the currently solid activity in the construction sector, sales in Northern America continued to rise (+8.4%). In Asia/Pacific, sales were up 3.8 percent year-on-year. Despite a continued difficult environment in Russia and Ukraine, the Eastern Europe / Middle East / Africa region generated sales growth of 7.7 percent. Sales in Latin America grew by 6.8 percent.

“With a view to our main markets, North America stands out as doing particularly well. In Europe, given the persistently heterogeneous market situation, growth is satisfactory, although we do see further upside potential here. In other regions, our business is faring well despite a certain slowdown in economic momentum,” said CEO Christoph Loos in commenting the sales figures.

Overall, sales grew by 4.9 percent in local currencies. Due to the negative exchange rate effect, sales in Swiss Francs dropped slightly by 3.2 percent from CHF 2,936 million to CHF 2,842 million, which was in line with expectations.

The ongoing strength of the Swiss Franc also impacted the company’s operating result and net income amounting to CHF 327 million (-8%) and CHF 239 million (-12.3%) year-on-year, respectively. Nevertheless, Hilti continues to pursue its forward strategy and has used its sound financial basis to undertake further investments in the areas of distribution, product development and services. And with digitization gaining ground in the construction industry, Hilti is developing new software solutions that enhance interaction with customers and render their daily job more efficient. As a result, R&D spending grew by 6.3 percent to CHF 152 million year-on-year, while headcount increased to 22,780 (+3.8%).

„No doubt, the appreciation of the Swiss Franc does not leave us unaffected. However, we shall not deviate from our course and will continue to invest in strategically significant activities. While we are facing uncertainties in some markets and persistent exchange rate volatilities, we expect to be able to keep both operating result and net income at approximately the same level as last year,” CEO Christoph Loos said in his outlook.

Media contact
Matthias Hassler
Media Officer
Corporate Communications
Feldkircherstrasse 100
9494 Schaan
Liechtenstein

+423 234 4949
+423 234 8949
Send an email