Würth Group reported first half 2015 sales of 5.5 billion euros, reflecting growth of 8.7% on H1 2014 results. In local currency growth was 5.5%.
The operating result was in-line with H1 2014, the lack of growth attributed to exchange losses as result of the appreciation of the Swiss franc and investments in the sales force. The Group employs 30,686 sales people, 1,000 more than on the same date in 2014. Overall employee numbers increased to 67,669 (+2.6% since December 2014).
“Würth’s development is positive, which is not only due to the good economic development in relevant fields of our business activities. We also focused on expanding forward-looking business units such as e-business,” says Robert Friedmann, chairman of the central managing board of the Würth Group.
Würth noted that the acquisition of Northern Safety Co Inc (NSC) in New York is subject to review by US antitrust agencies. The company, which specialises in the sale of personal protective equipment and mainly supplies industrial businesses, is described as a “perfect addition rounding off the Würth Group’s industrial activities in the US”. NSC generated 2014 sales of US$190 million (170.3 million euros) and employs 472 people.
Würth has also acquired a 51% interest in Paravan GmbH, a company specialising in drive-by-wire technology and vehicles for disabled people. Würth sees the acquisition offering strategic potential as an entry to the global market for autonomous driving systems. In 2014 Paravan generated sales of 20 million euros.
Will joined Fastener + Fixing Magazine in 2007 and over the last 15 years has experienced every facet of the fastener sector - interviewing key figures within the industry and visiting leading companies and exhibitions around the globe.
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