Liebherr Group sees record sales in 2015

The Liebherr Group, with corporate headquarters in Bulle, Switzerland, has released its 2015 financial report, showing total sales revenue for the company reached a record €9,237 million. This is the highest figure in the group’s history and an increase of €414 million, or 4.7%, compared with the previous year.

The Liebherr Group explains that business developed quite differently in its various sales regions: in Western Europe, the most important of these for Liebherr, an increase in turnover was recorded. Among the contributing factors were positive developments in Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands. Sales revenue dropped, however, in France, the Liebherr Group’s third-largest market, according to the company.

Turnover increased in volume in America and in the Far East/Australia region. Additionally, the company says it experienced a satisfactory year in the Near and Middle East while a downturn was recorded in Eastern Europe and on certain African markets.

Liebherr achieved growth in the construction machinery and mining area as well as in the area comprising maritime cranes, aerospace and transportation systems, machine tools and automation systems, domestic appliances, components and hotels. Total sales revenue from construction machinery and mining equipment, including the earthmoving, mining, mobile cranes, tower cranes and concrete technology divisions, increased by €330 million, or 6.2%, to €5,624 million. Sales revenue in divisions not included in the construction machinery and mining area increased by €84 million, or 2.4%, to €3,613 million.

In 2015, the Liebherr Group says it recorded a surplus of €294 million, €22 million below the company’s 2014 figure. The operating result was slightly above the previous year’s level. The financial result was lower, primarily because of negative exchange-rate influences, according to Liebherr.

The company’s workforce increased slightly in 2015. At the end of the year, Liebherr employed 41,545 people, 1.7%, or 705 more employees, than at the end of 2014.

The Liebherr Group says it focuses on on investing in its production facilities and in the international sales and service network. Last year, investments totaled €751 million and maintained the existing high level.

“Global economic development in the current year will probably be similar to 2015 with approximately the same rate of growth as in the previous year in both industrial countries and emerging markets,” Liebherr Gropu says.

In 2016, the Liebherr Group says it expects total sales revenue to be at 2015’s level. The company says it will continue to invest considerably in its international production sites and its sales and service network. There will again be a slight increase in the numbers of employees at the group’s companies.

The annual report can be found online at www.liebherr.com.