The media information page contains press releases with the latest news from the divisions and the Group. You will also find ad hoc announcements, publications, presentations and pictures.
Martin Starkey, an internal successor, has been appointed as the new division president of Bucher Municipal and as a member of group management of Bucher Industries with effect from 1 January 2026. He succeeds Aurelio Lemos, who will be stepping down as division president after 23 highly successful years at Bucher Industries.
During the first quarter of 2025, some markets of Bucher Industries stabilised as expected. Order intake was higher than in the prior-year period. Order intake was higher at Kuhn Group in particular, as well as at Bucher Hydraulics. However, due to the low order book at the beginning of the year, sales still fell compared to the prior-year period. Bucher Industries confirms its outlook for 2025 but points to the increasing uncertainties surrounding global trade tariffs. The previously announced share buyback programme will start on 5 May 2025.
At today’s annual general meeting (AGM) of Bucher Industries AG, the shareholders agreed to all the proposals put forward by the board of directors. The dividend is CHF 11.00 per registered share. 218 shareholders with voting rights were present and a total of 72.68% of the votes were represented.
Demand for Bucher Industries’ products and services declined, as expected. Order intake fell significantly, although the slowdown stabilised from mid-year onwards. Sales were also below the prior-year level, even though Bucher Municipal was able to positively distinguish itself from the general trend. The operating profit margin reached a solid 9.0%. The profit for the year of CHF 228 million and the earnings per share of CHF 22.15 were below the high levels of the prior year. The board of directors proposes a dividend of CHF 11.00 per share and is planning a share buyback programme over the next two years. After ten successful years as CEO, Jacques Sanche will hand over in the year 2026 to Matthias Kümmerle, currently division president of Bucher Emhart Glass.
As expected, demand for Bucher Industries’ products and services declined. The segments associated with agriculture and Bucher Emhart Glass were particularly hard hit by the downturn. Order intake fell significantly, but the slowdown stabilised from mid-year onwards. Sales were also below the prior-year level and capacity utilisation was lower. The Bucher Municipal division was able to positively distinguish itself from the general trend, recording encouraging sales growth. Bucher Industries expects an operating profit margin in the region of 9% for the reporting period and accordingly, the Group’s profit for the year is expected to be lower than the high level recorded in the prior year. For 2025, the Group assumes stable revenue on a comparable basis and an operating profit margin at the prior-year level, excluding the announced sale of a non-operational property.
The board of directors of Bucher Industries will propose that Manja Greimeier be elected to the board of directors at the annual general meeting on 16 April 2025. With the election of Manja Greimeier, the board will be enlarged and once again consist of six members.
As expected, demand for Bucher Industries’ products and services declined in the first nine months of 2024. The segments associated with agriculture and Bucher Emhart Glass were particularly hard hit by the downturn. Order intake fell significantly, but the slowdown stabilised from mid-year onwards. Sales were also below the prior-year level. The Bucher Municipal division was able to positively distinguish itself from the general trend, recording encouraging sales growth. Bucher Industries expects for 2024 lower sales and now, due to the low capacity utilisation, an operating profit margin in the high single-digit range.
Demand for the products and services of Bucher Industries declined in the first half of 2024 compared to the very strong prior-year period as expected. The order intake fell, with agriculture being particularly hard hit by the downturn. Sales were below the previous year’s levels. The operating profit margin was maintained in the double-digit range. The Group’s profit for the period declined significantly.
As expected, Bucher Industries’ markets weakened over the course of the first quarter of 2024 in line with the general economic slowdown. The agricultural machinery market in particular was severely impacted by economic and political uncertainties. Order intake and sales fell below the prior-year period.