Hilti reports growth in all market regions
January 21, 2015
Hilti Group has reported a successful 2014 with figures showing a 7.5% rise in sales over the previous year (in local currencies). When expressed in Swiss Francs, sales for the group increased 3.6% in the period, resulting in total sales of CHF 4,497 million (US$ 5.2 billion) in 2014.
Overall, the economic environment developed favourably for the Hilti Group in 2014, albeit with substantial regional differences, stated the company. Growth of the construction sector was positive in Northern and Central Europe, the Middle East, North America and in some Asian countries while markets in Southern Europe and parts of Eastern Europe and Latin America were facing difficulties. In addition, the group continued to be subject to negative exchange rate impacts, in particular in Russia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Japan.
Against this backdrop, the Hilti Group stood its ground well and posted growth in all market regions. Expressed in local currencies, growth was most pronounced in emerging markets with 14.6% in Latin America, 14.9% in Eastern Europe / Middle East / Africa and 10.6% in Asia/Pacific. Despite a severe winter, sales in Northern America grew by 9.5%. After a slightly negative result in 2013, Europe has returned to growth (+3.5%).
“Having increased our investments in sales and products, we managed to accelerate our growth as planned. Thanks to this, we are well on track in year one of the implementation of our revised Champion 2020 Corporate Strategy,” CEO Christoph Loos stated when commenting on the Group’s sales growth. “However, after last week’s currency turbulences we expect 2015 to be significantly more challenging for us.”
