Rieter’s sales in 2015 amounted to CHF 1 036.8 million (CHF 1 153.4 million in 2014). Compared to the previous year, a significant increase in sales was recorded in the Components and After Sales business groups, while sales were down in the Machines & Systems business group. Order intake totalled CHF 801.6 million (CHF 1 146.1 million in 2014). This was six per cent higher in the second half of the year than in the first six months owing to a more positive momentum in the latter period.
At the end of 2015, Rieter’s order backlog amounted to approximately CHF 470 million. The group is expecting EBIT of 7 per cent and a net profit of 4.8 per cent of sales for the year as a whole.
Since January 2015 Rieter, with its three business groups – Machines & Systems, After Sales and Components – has intensified its focus on customers and their differing needs throughout the lifecycle of the spinning machines. This generates greater customer satisfaction and stronger customer loyalty. In this way, Rieter extends its business with lower exposure to the cycle. This new approach met with a very positive response from customers at ITMA 2015 in Milan.
The overall trend in demand in 2015 was characterized by positive developments in the After Sales and Components business groups and a cyclical reluctance to invest in the Machines & Systems business. Following a low point in the third quarter, demand in the machinery business recovered towards the end of the year. Rieter’s order intake was six per cent higher in the second half of the year compared to the first half (CHF 388.3 million in the first half of 2015, CHF 413.3 million in the second half of 2015).
The order intake amounted to CHF 801.6 million in the past financial year (CHF 1 146.1 million in 2014). Order intake at the Components business group increased to CHF 217.7 million, 26 per cent higher than in the previous year, thanks to strong demand in the second half of 2015 in particular. The After Sales business group posted order intake of CHF 126.3 million, a decline of CHF 14.2 million (-10%) compared to the prior year, mainly attributable to the lower volume of orders for installations in the new machinery business.
Order intake at the Machines & Systems business group for 2015 as a whole amounted to CHF 457.6 million, 45 per cent lower than in the previous year.
In 2015 Rieter again achieved the best sales results in Asian countries (without China, India and Turkey), with an increase of 19 per cent compared to the prior year. In contrast, however, the propensity to invest declined in these countries in 2015.
The market situation in China has eased slightly as a result of a government investment program being implemented in the province of Xinjiang. Sales amounted to CHF 139.8 million, 20 per cent down on the prior year, while order intake was up on 2014 and above the level of sales.
The Indian market was stable in 2015, and Rieter’s sales were nine per cent (13 per cent in local currency) higher at CHF 142 million. Order intake remained at the same level as in the prior year.
In Turkey, Rieter’s sales for the reporting year amounted to CHF 143.7 million. Order intake was at a very low level, but the first signs of recovery were observed toward the end of the year.
Sales of CHF 200.6 million in North and South America in 2015 were at the same level as in the preceding year. Order intake was lower than in 2014 due to the more difficult economic situation in South America and the completion of the major investment projects in the US.
Sales in Africa of CHF 26.7 million were below the previous year’s level, while the reduced sales figure of CHF 60.2 million in Europe was mainly attributable to the sale of the Schaltag Group.