In 2017, the Hilti Group continued to grow throughout all business regions with sales increasing significantly to CHF 5.1 billion (€4.4 billion). Year-on-year, sales were up 10.8% in Swiss Francs and 9.6% in local currencies.
Expressing his confidence for 2018, CEO Christoph Loos commented: “We owe this milestone to our global team that is working with consistency and dedication to implement the objectives of our corporate strategy. Once again, we have launched more than 60 new products, extended our portfolio significantly, and strengthened our global sales team. With this solid foundation firmly in place, we managed to make even better use of last year’s favorable market conditions. It is our intention to maintain this momentum.”
The performance of the business regions reflects the broad-based growth of the company. With all markets in good condition, Europe was up 9.7% in local currencies. Growing at 8.5%, North America has taken yet another significant step ahead. In Latin America (+9.7%), the upward trend strengthened further although the economy as a whole continues to stabilise at a slow place. In Asia/Pacific, the Hilti Group maintains its growth trajectory, with sales up +5.3%. The dynamic performance of the eastern Europe/Middle East/Africa region (+17.4%) is particularly noteworthy, with Russia leading the way by reporting yet another set of strong growth figures.
Hilti acquires cable sealant company
Hilti Group has also recently acquired the Austrian-based–bst Brandschutztechnik Döpfl GmbH – as well as its sales organisation in Germany, in order to expand its offering of fire protection system solutions for the energy and industry sectors.
Since 2011, bst Brandschutztechnik has supplied Hilti with sealing solutions for cable penetrations – used in the energy and industrial sectors to seal cable openings against water, gas and fire. The company, headquartered near Vienna, Austria, currently employs 15 people in development, manufacturing and sales.
Together with the bst Brandschutztechnik team, Hilti plans to further develop its cable transit product range, allowing it to offer more comprehensive system solutions for cable sealing systems. The direct sales channels of both Hilti and bst Brandschutztechnik, along with that of the Norwegian Oglaend System Group, which Hilti acquired last year to expand its offshore business, will be used to develop additional
customer segments.
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.
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