2017 was a successful year for the Bühler Group. Bühler organically increased its order intake by 10% to CHF 2.8 billion ($2.96 billion), its turnover by 9% to CHF 2.7 billion($2.85 billion). “Our innovation power provides the basis for this positive development of our organization,” says Bühler CEO Stefan Scheiber. 

Bühler reported its fiscal results for 2017. According to report, Bühler organically increased its order intake by 10% to CHF 2.8 billion($2.96 billion), its turnover by 9% to CHF 2.7 billion ($2.85 billion) and its EBIT by 18% to CHF 205 million ($216.7 million) (EBIT margin: 7.7%). As of year-end, its order backlog amounted to CHF 1.7 billion ($1.8 billion) (+9%). These results mirror Bühler’s positioning as a provider of integrated process solutions for sustainable mobility and healthy food. The acquisition of the Austrian Haas Group, announced in 2017, was a highlight in the past fiscal year. Value maintenance and sustainability provide the basis for business success. “In 2017, this clear focus has enabled us to continue to expand our technology and market positions and to further increase our competitiveness,” says Bühler CEO Stefan Scheiber. The same also applies for the acquisition of the Austrian Haas Group, which now allows Bühler to also occupy a leading position in the consumer foods market. Both Bühler businesses contributed to this strong growth. Grains & Food increased its order intake and turnover by 7% to CHF 2.1 billion ($2,22 billion) and CHF 2.0 billion ($2.11 billion), respectively. Growth was also strong in the service business and the business for single machines, which together now account for 32% of total turnover. Market share gains were achieved in particular by milling, feed, optical sorting, aluminum die casting, and optical coatings. In regional terms, order intake growth was especially pronounced in the Middle East & Africa (+48%) and Asia (+18%). This operating performance further strengthened the already very sound financial position of Bühler. Net profit surged by 22% to CHF 174 million($183,9 million), representing a net profit margin of 6.5% (previous year: 5.9%). Significantly higher capital investments of CHF 100 million ($105.7 million) (+41%) – among other things in the modernization and expansion of the global production network – lay the ground for Bühler’s future profitable business development. UNIQUE INNOVATION MODEL DRIVES GROWTH In 2017, Bühler once again increased its investments in research and development (R&D) by 10% to CHF 119 million ($125.8 million) (about 4.5% of total turnover) and launched over 50 innovative technologies and products. Bühler also further expanded its global production network. The focus here was on the opening of the new factory in Changzhou, China, and the modernization of the Swiss manufacturing sites. Bühler faces the future with confidence. For the current fiscal year, the Group expects to continue its present profitable growth path. “Our market foundations are sound. With our leading technologies and solutions we intend to achieve above-average performance in 2018 as well,” says Scheiber.