Huber+Suhner has closed the 2015 with 5.6 % net sales decrease in Swiss francs, EBIT margin at the upper end of the announced target range of 6–7.5 %, net income significantly reduced due to currency impacts, measures for cushioning the negative currency impacts are showing effect, high free operating cash flow. Fiber Optics has a new net sales record.
2015 was heavily influenced by the appreciation of the Swiss franc. Net sales (CHF 706.3 million) decreased by 5.6 % compared with the previous year. It was possible to limit the fall in net sales to 2.4 % at constant currency exchange rates. Order intake (CHF 702.8 million) declined significantly compared with the previous year (-8.5 %), but stabilised at the same level as net sales.
The Fiber Optics division continued to grow and once again exceeded the previous year’s net sales record, with a plus of 12.3 %. Cube Optics, which was acquired in October 2014, displayed extremely dynamic growth. Thanks to the rapidly introduced measures following the “Swiss franc shock”, the EBIT margin once again improved considerably in the second half year, and with 7.4% it was at the upper end of the announced target range of 6-7.5 % for 2015. The EBIT reached CHF 52.3 million (previous year CHF 69 million). The influence of currency and copper prices on EBIT-level came to CHF -9.4 million (-14 %). Net income fell in 2015 to CHF 24.7 million, at a high free operating cash flow of CHF 47.9 million.
