In fiscal 2014, Endress+Hauser increased its sales by almost 11 %, surpassing the €2 billion mark. The Swiss specialist in measurement and automation technology also improved its operating profit, as well as its earnings before and after tax.
" Given the international political and economic challenges we face, we can be very satisfied with these results, even if we didn't achieve all our objectives. ", says Endress+Hauser CFO Luc Schultheiss. Exchange rate trends in particular had a favorable effect on 2014 as a whole. Recently acquired subsidiaries, on the other hand, led to a decline in earnings. For example, following the fall in the ruble, Analytik Jena had to create substantial provisions for losses.
For the first time, the German medical analysis company Analytik Jena, which employs 1,100 people, and the American spectroscopy company Kaiser Optical Systems, which employs some 80 people, saw their results consolidated for the full year under review. At the beginning of 2014, Endress+Hauser set up its own sales company in the United Arab Emirates. All these factors contributed to the Group's organic sales growth, which, according to Luc Schultheiss, almost reached 6 %.
In terms of headcount, the trend was also positive overall. Thus, at the end of 2014, 12,435 people worked for Endress+Hauser worldwide, 516 more than the previous year.
The strong franc poses new challenges
Following the abolition of the floor rate by the Swiss National Bank, the outlook for the current year is uncertain, according to Luc Schultheiss. Indeed, while the Group's production also takes place in Switzerland, most of it takes place in the euro and dollar zones. " The repercussions cannot be predicted at this stage.says Luc Schultheiss. As a result, we need to keep a close eye on future developments. "
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