Bühler Group closed 2024 with stronger profitability, posting an EBIT of CHF 227 million and an EBIT margin of 7.6%.
Despite a decline in orders, the Swiss technology company maintained stable revenues, strengthened its financial position, and increased market share across key segments. The company’s equity ratio improved to 52.8%, supported by increased liquidity and a more efficient cash flow.
“In an increasingly uncertain global economic environment, we took our approach of ‘making things happen’ and continued investing in innovation and training,” said CEO Stefan Scheiber. “Our skilled and passionate employees deserve a big thank you, as they were yet again key to our success in a very demanding year.”
Total turnover remained steady at CHF 3.0 billion, a marginal decline of 0.8% from the previous year, while order intake fell 9.9% to CHF 2.8 billion. Foreign exchange fluctuations played a significant role in the results; in local currencies, turnover actually increased by 2.5% to CHF 3.1 billion.
With a strong focus on productivity improvements, Bühler raised its profitability for the fourth consecutive year, with net profit reaching CHF 189 million, or 6.3% of turnover, up from 5.9% in 2023. A concerted effort to optimize inventory management led to a 15.8% reduction in net working capital, bolstering the company’s operating cash flow to CHF 379 million, a significant rise from CHF 69 million the prior year. Consequently, Bühler’s net liquidity doubled to CHF 503 million.
“Our strong financial position makes us a long-term reliable partner to customers, industry partners, and bondholders,” said CFO Mark Macus.
Milling Leads the Way
The company’s Grains & Food division, its largest business unit, posted a 2.0% revenue increase to CHF 2.25 billion, driven largely by the exceptional performance of its Milling Solutions segment. Bühler reported record-high revenues for Milling Solutions, which has expanded its global footprint, adding 30,000 tonnes of daily processing capacity—enough to provide staple foods for approximately 60 million people.
In contrast, the Advanced Materials division saw an 8.5% decline in revenue, falling to CHF 712 million. This drop was attributed to a post-pandemic normalization in investment activity and continued uncertainty in global automotive markets. However, Leybold Optics, Bühler’s coating and sputtering technology business, delivered strong results, reinforcing its position in the global market.
Bühler’s Customer Service business emerged as a key growth driver in 2024, with turnover rising 9.4% to CHF 1.06 billion, representing 35.4% of the Group’s total revenue. The company expanded its portfolio of service offerings, helping clients enhance operational efficiency while lowering costs and emissions. Bühler also saw strong growth in long-term service agreements, which surpassed 4,000 contracts. These agreements provide customers with service bundles that include on-site inspections, preventive maintenance, and remote support, strengthening Bühler’s role as a trusted industry partner.
Innovation and Expansion
Bühler continued to invest heavily in research and development, allocating CHF 138 million—4.6% of total turnover—to innovation. In 2024, the company launched 40 new products and services and expanded its global presence by opening three new research and training centers: the Grain Innovation Center in Uzwil, Switzerland; the Grain Processing Innovation Center in Kano, Nigeria; and the North American Insect Center in Saskatoon, Canada. These facilities serve as collaborative platforms for clients to test new raw materials and refine industrial processes.
Bühler’s balanced global presence provided stability in an otherwise volatile economic climate. While revenues grew in the Middle East and Africa, the company faced declining sales in China. Overall, regional revenue distribution remained stable, with the Americas accounting for 28% of turnover, Europe 27%, Asia 26%, and the Middle East, Africa, and India increasing to 19% from 16% in the prior year.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With an order backlog of CHF 1.9 billion, Bühler expects stable business activity in 2025. The company’s strategy will emphasize financial resilience and continued investment in innovation, services, and sustainability.
“Bühler is well prepared to capitalize on emerging opportunities in 2025,” said Scheiber. “Our commitment to innovation, services, education, and training will remain as strong as ever. Through this, we aim to create value for our customers while continuing to invest in safe, attractive, and future-oriented workplaces for our employees worldwide. The Bühler culture and values remain the foundation of everything we do, and our purpose, as always, is to create innovations for a better world.”
Find out more at: https://www.buhlergroup.com/global/en/homepage.html