Hilti delivers strong financial results

Hilti, based in Schaan, Liechtenstein, has announced sales growth of 7.5% in local currencies and 3.6% in Swiss Francs to CHF 4.5 billion. The Hilti Group increased its operating result by 27% to CHF 537 million in 2014. Profitability, return on capital employed and free cash flow are on target.

“We are very pleased with the 2014 results,”  commented Christoph Loos, CEO of the Hilti Group.  “At the end of 2013 we decided to go back to investing significantly more, to accelerate growth, to gain market shares and to further increase our profit and return on capital employed. All these targets have been achieved.”

The global development showed a highly mixed picture in 2014. While markets in Northern and Central Europe were generally positive, construction in Western and Southern Europe continued to be subdued. The exceptionally strong winter that hit the Eastern part of North America at the beginning of the year dampened what was otherwise a very positive performance.

The emerging markets were also characterised by heterogeneous developments. The Middle East and parts of Asia did very well, quite in contrast to Eastern Europe which was severely affected by the political situation in Russia and Ukraine. The initial momentum seen in Latin America was increasingly tarnished by political uncertainties later in the year.

Against this backdrop, Hilti states that it stood its ground well and posted further growth at local currencies in all regions. After a slightly negative trend in the previous year, overall business in Europe has increased (+3.5%). In North America, a strong second half helped to almost completely offset a slow start to the year (+9.5%). In the emerging markets, sales growth reached double-digit figures (Latin America +14.6%, Eastern Europe / Middle East / Africa +14.9%, Asia +10.6%). On the whole, sales in local currencies were up 7.5 percent (against 4.5% in the previous year).

According to the economic forecasts for 2015, the business climate is expected to be similar as in 2014, however marked by continued regional differentials. Thus, the Hilti Group reckons that growth in local currencies will be in the solid single-digit range. Commenting on the exchange rate situation, Christoph Loos stated, “The substantial appreciation of the Swiss Franc has also a considerable impact on our figures. But our solid profitability, balance sheet and cash flow positions will enable us to pursue the planned investments into sales capacity, product development and services. Thus, we see ourselves well positioned for the 2015 business year.”

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