Bühler, Uzwil, Switzerland, in 2020 proved to be a reliable partner to all its stakeholders and showed robust business performance during the year. Protection of the health of employees, securing supply chains for customers, and keeping the innovation rate high were top priorities. Despite adverse conditions, Bühler fulfilled all customer contracts and delivery agreements without interruptions. Furthermore, the company launched major innovations for key markets. The Group gained additional financial strength, with equity ratio reaching 44.2% (+1.4 percentage points) and net liquidity soaring to CHF749 million (+66.8%). Turnover was CHF2.7 billion (-17.0%), with order intake amounting to CHF2.6 billion (-16.7%). “With high agility we adapted quickly to the new situation to ensure continuity on all levels,” commented CEO Stefan Scheiber. “In light of our global set-up and innovation power, we are looking into the future with bounded optimism.”

Bühler assured the health of its employees and its daily operations throughout the year. Supply chains proved remarkably solid, as Bühler was able to absorb the pandemic’s waves thanks to its global network of 33 factories, 100 service stations, and digital tools such as remote customer trials or commissioning, to bring much needed food capacities online worldwide. “We have seen a sharp rise in customer demand for digital solutions, but also for sustainable solutions, such as CO2-reduced emissions, nutritious and healthy food, high-end deposition technologies, and clean mobility,” said Scheiber.

“Protecting our liquidity had the highest priority over the course of last year,” commented CFO Mark Macus. “Our target was to remain a very solid and strong partner for all our stakeholders, and we achieved this even in a challenging year like 2020.” Driven by diligent finance management, operating cash flow jumped 211% from CHF151 million to CHF470 million. Strict cost management allowed Bühler to offset a significant part of the adverse volume impact, resulting in EBIT of CHF146 million (previous year: CHF248 million), and an EBIT margin of 5.4% (7.6%).

Turnover was CHF2.7 billion, down 17.0% from CHF3.3 billion. The 2020 figures are impacted by the development of currency exchange rates, specifically of the Chinese yuan, euro, and US dollar against the Swiss franc. Adjusted for the impact of the foreign exchange rates, the reduction of the top line versus last year was 13%. www.buhlergroup.com

 

Bühler’s Uzwil, Switzerland, headquarters

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