Third quarter 2023: Increase in sales despite a slowdown in business momentum

Group

Overall, demand remained at a good level during the reporting period, but momentum weakened in the last few months. The increasing economic uncertainties were particularly noticeable in the agricultural machinery market. Kuhn Group, Bucher Municipal and Bucher Hydraulics each reported a downward trend in their order intake. Bucher Emhart Glass and Bucher Specials, on the other hand, each recorded growth in their orders. Sales increased overall due to the price increases introduced during the previous year, despite negative currency effects and a decline in the third quarter. The order book normalised while remaining high with a range of more than five months. Production planning was adjusted to the lower volumes on a case-by-case basis.
 

Kuhn Group

Further slowdown

Demand for agricultural machinery declined globally. Farm incomes came under increasing pressure, although they remained at a decent level compared with the last few years. Lower agricultural commodity prices, drought conditions in several areas, and high interest rates and machinery prices together led to a lower willingness to invest in agricultural machinery and declining retail sales. This resulted in higher inventories in the dealer network. Kuhn Group’s sales were maintained at the prior year’s high level, despite a substantial decline in Brazil. Production planning was adjusted to the lower, but still solid, order book on a case-by-case basis.
 

Bucher Municipal

Sales growth despite challenges

In a stable market situation the division experienced a normalisation in demand. As expected, order intake remained below the high of the prior-year period, which included some large orders. Demand for refuse collection vehicles, winter equipment as well as maintenance services and spare parts developed positively. Significantly fewer orders were recorded for sweepers and sewer cleaning vehicles. The supply chain situation eased but remained challenging, especially for chassis and electronic components. A significant increase in sales was achieved thanks to improved production efficiency. The order book decreased but remained at a high level at the end of the reporting period, with a range of seven months.
 

Bucher Hydraulics

Downturn in the markets

Demand weakened in the hydraulics markets, although it remained at a high level, and Bucher Hydraulics’ order intake declined compared with the strong prior-year period. In China, the downward trend continued. In Europe, order intake weakened significantly in the third quarter, especially in the agricultural machinery sector. The mobile electric drive technology business continued to perform well. The very high level of sales of the prior-year period was maintained, despite declines in China and North America. The order book normalised overall but remained still very high for some products.
 

Bucher Emhart Glass

Utilisation remains high

Demand for glass containers increased again. Customers invested in modernising and expanding their plant. It was only towards the end of the reporting period that signs appeared of an easing in global capacity utilisation for glass container production. New production facilities are being also planned, but the momentum has levelled off. Order intake increased again, thanks primarily to a pleasing development with the inspection machines. Using artificial intelligence, these innovative machines enable a fully automated setup of sidewall inspection, more reliable classification of defects and excellent detection rates. The division’s capacity utilisation remained very high due to its strong order book. Consequently its sales once again increased significantly, helped especially by its good spare parts business.
 

Bucher Specials

Diverging market developments

Bucher Vaslin showed stable development during the reporting period, as did Bucher Unipektin. Bucher Landtechnik had to report weakening business performance. Manufacturers’ price increases and lower agricultural incomes caused problems for the Swiss agricultural market. Bucher Automation benefited from growth at Bucher Emhart Glass and from its cooperation with Bucher Hydraulics. Bucher Specials’ order intake was slightly above the prior-year period overall. Sales increased significantly, helped by the Polish company of Bucher Unipektin, which has been consolidated since the end of 2022.
 

Outlook for 2023

The Group expects demand to normalise further in the fourth quarter of the year as well, starting from a good level in an increasingly uncertain environment. Thanks to the order book, capacity utilisation will remain good. Increased personnel and other operating costs are putting greater pressure on margins in the second half, which is also weaker due to seasonal factors. Kuhn Group expects sales and an operating profit margin on a par with 2022, despite the decline in the third quarter. Thanks to Bucher Municipal’s exceptionally strong order book, it expects sales to grow slightly, with electrified products contributing to this growth. The operating profit margin is likely to recover as a result of a partially improved supply chain and production efficiency. Bucher Hydraulics’ total annual sales will be on a par with those of 2022. The good operating profit margin achieved in the prior year should be achieved again, despite a significant increase in personnel costs. Bucher Emhart Glass expects a slight increase in sales and operating profit margin over the very high level that it achieved in 2022. Bucher Specials expects its sales to increase, partly as a result of its consolidation of the Polish company of Bucher Unipektin since the end of 2022, and its operating profit margin to be on a par with 2022. The Group expects, despite a slowdown in business momentum, sales on a par with 2022 and a slightly higher operating profit margin. Accordingly, the Group’s profit for the year is expected to be slightly above the prior year’s very high level.