Endress+Hauser performed well across all fields of activity, industries and regions in 2019. The Group created hundreds of new jobs, invested record amounts and improved in the area of sustainability. According to CEO Matthias Altendorf, the family company is thus in a strong position to address the challenges of the corona crisis. “2019 was a solid year for Endress+Hauser,” emphasised Matthias Altendorf. “Growth was broad-based and balanced.” The measurement and automation technology specialist for process and laboratory applications increased net sales by 8.0 % to 2.652 billion euros, despite a weakening economy. During the annual media conference on financial statements in Basel, the CEO explained that instead of large-scale orders, this growth was driven by smaller and medium-sized projects.
Focus on innovation and sustainability
According to the CEO, this success is also tied to the company’s undiminished innovative spirit. In 2019 Endress+Hauser filed 318 patent applications and invested 7.6 %of sales in research and development. More than 1100 people are working on new products, solutions and services. By the end of 2019 Endress+Hauser had 14,328 employees worldwide. 400 new jobs have been created within one year.
The company also made progress in the area of sustainability. In the annual Ecovadis audit, Endress+Hauser achieved 72 points, 4 more than in 2018, placing it in the top 2 % of the comparison group. By switching to green electricity in production, the Group was able to reduce CO2 emissions by more than one-third. New buildings meet the highest environmental standards. Endress+Hauser is currently constructing a new energy self-sufficient customer experience and training center in Canada.
USA still the largest market
In 2019, Asia provided strong growth impulses. Europe performed well and South America recorded excellent growth. North America fell behind expectations, however, while the business in Africa and the Middle East declined. China overtook Germany based on sales volume and just trails the US, which continues to be the largest sales market for Endress+Hauser. According to Chief Financial Officer Dr. Luc Schultheiss, the Group companies were able to gain market share.
The changed market environment is reflected in an operating profit (EBIT) of 343.4 million euros, a plus of 3.9 %. Profit before taxes (EBT) grew by 9.9 % to 346.9 million euros. Behind this is a significantly improved net financial result compared to 2018. Although foreign exchange hedging continued to incur high costs, the positive stock market environment allowed financial investments to generate solid returns in 2019. Return on sales (ROS) climbed 0.2 points to 13.1 %.
Digital intimacy bridges the physical distance
Endress+Hauser started 2020 with a further increase in incoming orders. However, the coronavirus pandemic makes it massively more difficult to achieve the original goals. “Although we are still unable to predict the economic impacts of the crisis, we and our customers will certainly feel the effects,” underlined CEO Matthias Altendorf. The Group responded early to the spread of the virus and used all means at its disposal to protect people’s health and continue to offer customers solid support.
“We bridge the physical distance through digital and emotional proximity,” said Matthias Altendorf. The CEO has been driving digitisation at Endress+Hauser for years – in the product and services areas, as well as in customer interaction and internal collaboration. At peak periods, up to 10,000 employees are currently working from home. Customers can use the website to order instruments or track orders, and an online tool enables remote support aided by video.
