Gurit reports net sales growth of 2.7% for the calendar year 2023

Excluding acquisition effects, total Group Sales grew by 2.6% at constant exchange rates and declined 6.8% in reported CHF. The large negative FX impact happens as almost no products or services are invoiced in Swiss Francs. The top line in the 4th quarter was also negatively influenced by raw materials price decreases, passed one to one to customers, for example for carbon fibers: this trend is expected to increase significantly in 2024, without influence on profitability.

Wind Energy remains the most important market segment for Gurit. The huge market volatility seen in summer, due to quality issues in the onshore wind market and contract cancellations in the offshore market, has eased somewhat, but market participants remain cautious, even if some regions continue to show signs of recovery. Marine and other industrial markets performed well, driven by an increase in demand for recycled PET structural foam for industrial applications. 

Wind Materials achieved net sales of CHF 307.1 million for 2023. This represents an increase of 1.9% at constant exchange rates compared to 2022 and contains a contribution of
CHF 99.4 million from Structural Profiles (Fiberline Composites). Market share gains in core materials produced at newly built sites have partly been offset by price reductions for input materials, like Carbon Fiber. Excluding acquisitions, Wind Materials sales increased 1.3% at constant exchange rates.

Manufacturing Solutions achieved a turnover of CHF 51.3 million, which represents a decrease of -0.3% at constant exchange rates compared to 2022. The decline is a result of weaker demands for wind blade moulds in the second half. Although the market showed some recent positive news, wind customers still remain cautious in releasing investments in incremental blade manufacturing capacities. 

Marine and Industrial reports net sales of CHF 101.6 million for 2023. This is an increase of 7.1% at constant exchange rates compared to 2022. The Marine business performed well, despite inflation impacts on this sector. The continued expansion of addressable applications in the Industrial sector, driven by the customer need for more energy efficient products, provides new business development opportunities for Gurit in the coming years.

Profitability
For the calendar year 2023, Gurit expects an adjusted operating profit margin between 4.0% and 5.0%. This compares to an adjusted operating profit margin of 2.3% in the calendar year 2022.

Online publication of Annual Report 2023, Media and Analyst webcast on March 4, 2024
Gurit will report its 2023 full year results on March 4, 2024 and provide its financial guidance for 2024, by issuing a media release at 07:00 am CET and publishing its Annual Report 2023 online at https://www.gurit.com/…. Management will also discuss the results at a joint media and analyst webcast on March 4, 2024, at 09:00 a.m. CET. If you want to join the Q&A, please sign up for the conference by sending your contact details to investor@gurit.com. The presentations will be held in English and will be accessible as a public webcast at https://www.gurit.com/…. Under the same URL an on-demand version will be available after the live webcast.

Roadshow
In the afternoon of March 4, 2024, the Gurit team will be available to meet investors at a roadshow at the premises of Zürcher Kantonalbank in Zurich. For more information: https://broker.zkb.ch/….

A Capital Markets Day for investors, analysts and financial media representatives is scheduled to take place on October 9, 2024, in Zurich. 

Forward-looking statements:
To the extent that this announcement contains forward-looking statements, such statements are based on assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Forward-looking statements always involve uncertainties. Business and economic risks and developments, the conduct of competitors, political decisions and other factors may cause the actual results to be materially different from the assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Therefore, Gurit Holding AG does not assume any responsibility relating to forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.