Well prepared to handle the energy crisis in Europe
Rieter anticipates weakened demand for new systems in the coming months. The demand for consumables, wear & tear and spare parts will depend on the capacity utilization of spinning mills in the months ahead. For the full year 2022, Rieter expects sales of around CHF 1400 million. The realization of sales revenue from the order backlog continues to be associated with risks in relation to the well-known uncertainties.
Despite significantly higher sales compared to the prior-year period, Rieter expects EBIT and net result for 2022 to be below the previous year’s level. This is due to the considerable increases in the cost of materials and logistics, additional costs for compensation of material shortages as well as expenses in connection with the acquisition in the years 2021/2022.
As market and technology leader, Rieter will benefit from the continuing exceptionally high order backlog of around CHF 2 000 million, the significantly improved market position, and the continuation of the regional shift in demand.
Rieter is well prepared to handle a potential energy crisis in Europe due to the on going war and geo political situation. All European locations have drawn up and already implemented suitable plans.
The process for the sale of the remaining Rieter site in Winterthur (Switzerland) is proceeding according to plan. In total, around 75 000 m2 of land will be sold. The Rieter CAMPUS is not part of this transaction.
Performance
Rieter recorded a significant increase in sales in the third quarter of 2022, reaching a level of CHF 366.8 million (2021: CHF 257.3 million). The measures introduced to increase sales and profitability in the second half of 2022 are taking effect and will continue to be implemented in a systematic manner. These include a close cooperation with key suppliers, the development of alternative solutions to eliminate material shortages, the enforcement of price increases, and the improvement of the margin quality of the order backlog.
The order intake of CHF 226.4 million in the third quarter of 2022 reflects the expected normalization of demand for new equipment compared to the record year of 2021, which was characterized by catch-up effects and the regional shift in demand.
In addition, the well-known uncertainties and risks and the continuing extremely long delivery times at key manufacturers had a dampening effect on demand. Due to the slowdown in capacity utilization in the spinning mills, demand for consumables, wear & tear and spare parts also declined in the third quarter of 2022. Major orders continued to be recorded from Turkey, Uzbekistan, and China.
Rieter has an exceptionally high order backlog of around CHF 2 000 million as of September 30, 2022 (September 30, 2021: CHF 1 562 million), which will guarantee capacity utilization in all three business groups until well into 2023 or rather 2024. The cancellation rate in the reporting period was around 5% of the order backlog.
The Business Group Machines & Systems achieved total sales of CHF 634.3 million in the first nine months of 2022 (+66%). The Business Group Components recorded an increase of 37% to CHF 232.6 million in the first nine months of 2022, while the Business Group After Sales posted sales of CHF 120.5 million, 14% higher compared to the prior-year period. In all three business groups, the measures introduced to eliminate material bottlenecks and safeguard supplies are having a positive impact.
Following the record year of 2021, the Rieter Group received an order intake totaling CHF 1 095.8 million in the first nine months of 2022 (-35%). In the Business Group Machines & Systems, compared to the record year in 2021, the expected normalization of demand was clearly reflected in an order intake of CHF 696.2 million.
Order intake in the Business Group Components rose to CHF 248.1 million, an increase of 9% compared to the first nine months of the previous year, mainly as a result of the acquisition of the Accotex and Temco components businesses. In the Business Group After Sales, order intake decreased to CHF 151.5 million, a fall of 8% compared to the first nine months of the previous year. The evolution of order intake in both business groups is attributable to the drop in demand for consumables, wear & tear and spare parts.