The Hilti Group reports sales growth of 14.7% over the first eight months of 2018. Adjusted for acquisition effects, the growth figure is 12.7%. The Group’s operating result rose 7.6% over the same period.
Through to the end of August, Hilti Group sales for 2018 were CHF 3751 million, a growth of 14.7% over the same period previous year. Two percentage points of this total are attributable to Hilti’s purchase of the Oglaend System Group in September 2017. The growth rate also registered double digits in terms of local currencies (+11.9%). The North America and Europe regions once again advanced strongly, posting 12.2 and 12.4% growth in local currencies, respectively. The upward trend in Latin America (+7.4%) slowed due to currency devaluations and political tensions in several countries. While uncertainties also increased in both Turkey and Russia, the Eastern Europe/Middle East/Africa region nonetheless continued to see sales rise (+14%). The Hilti Group also sustained a positive trend in the Asia/Pacific region (9.1%).
“Even though the world political situation has become more unpredictable, we continue to show double-digit growth, which is faster than the global construction market. This success is based on the consistently high level of investment into sales resources and innovation. Our main investment focus in recent months has been in the area of digital solutions,” commented CEO Christoph Loos (pictured).
As a result, expenditure for research and development rose to CHF 225 million (+17.6%) while the number of employees grew to 28,566 (+9.6%). The more robust spending level and the stronger euro translated into return on sales at 12.1% (-0.8%), and return on capital employed, at 22.2% (-0.6%), figures slightly lower than those for 2017. The Hilti Group, however, posted increases in the operating result, at CHF 456 million (+7.6%) and net income, at CHF 329 million (+4.5%).
If world political uncertainties and currency volatility do not significantly worsen, the Hilti Group expects double-digit sales growth over the entire year, albeit slightly below the figures for the first eight months due to acquisition effects. Despite ongoing investment Hilti expects the operating result for 2018 as a whole to be similar to the current growth level.
Having held senior management roles in leading automotive and fastener businesses, Phil joined Fastener + Fixing Magazine as editor in 2002. Convinced there is no substitute for ‘being there’, over 17 years of visits and interviews around the world means he has accumulated an extraordinary knowledge and perspective of the global fastener industry, reflected in his incisive and thought provoking reporting.
Don't have an account? Sign Up
Signing up to Fastener + Fixing Magazine enables you to manage your account details.
