"Last year the STIHL Group's turnover surpassed the 3 billion euro mark for the first time and by a considerable margin", said STIHL executive board chairman Dr. Bertram Kandziora at the company's financial press conference. Worldwide turnover in 2015 was up by 8.9 percent to EUR 3.25 billion. Without the effects of foreign exchange rates the increase would have been 3.7 percent.
"In 2015 our sales subsidiaries in most countries again succeeded in gaining market shares and this enabled us to further consolidate our global competitive position", said Dr. Kandziora. "Worldwide investments in 2015 totalled EUR 235 million, which is higher than they have even been in the company's history. We are celebrating our company's 90th anniversary this year and are well prepared for further growth." All investments are equity-financed as a matter of principle.
North America is growth engine
The situation in international markets was quite varied for STIHL in 2015. "North America was once again the growth engine with a double digit increase in unit sales. In the U.S., there were gains in market share in almost all product groups. STIHL also made significant progress in Latin America", explained Dr. Kandziora. Western Europe, including the southern European countries, also reported growth.
By contrast, the chain saw market in Russia collapsed. The slump in the ruble's value, the teetering economy and the falling price of oil resulted in purchasing power being practically halved, so that the total sales of products in Russia dropped drastically. Overall, market shares were gained worlwide. An encouraging level of unit sales growth was achieved with VIKING products.
Gains in market shares on German market
STIHL also achieved significant growth on the German market last year. "Business with cordless electric products and the VIKING iMow robot mower was particularly good in the first quarter of 2016", said a pleased Dr. Kandziora.
The STIHL and VIKING Test Day, which took place for sixth time on April 9, 2016, is the traditional start to the season for dealers. The STIHL COMPACT cordless system further extends the line of cordless power tools. The new products will be available as from this summer. Further test opportunities for customers are scheduled as part of the "Super Saw Weeks" in autumn.
Worldwide investments at all-time high
The STIHL Group's investments last year amounted to EUR 235 million – the highest they have ever been in the company's history. Of that total, the German founding company accounted for 37 percent and the subsidiaries at home and abroad for 63 percent. For example, ZAMA, a subsidiary of the STIHL Group, opened a new production facility in the Philippines in January 2016 which represented an investment of over EUR 40 million. Compared with investments, total depreciations amounted to EUR 149 million. The number of employees in the Group was down by 0.4 percent to a total of 14,245.
Read the Stihl statement in full: http://www.stihl.com/pi-stihl-achieves-new-record-turnover-of-eur-3-25-billion.aspx
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