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Following a good start of the year, the situation deteriorated rapidly with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bucher Industries had to temporarily shut down production at several sites. Order intake and sales were markedly down on the very high prior-year figures. At the end of the reporting period, all sites were operational again, albeit some with certain restrictions. Despite the difficult conditions, the Group achieved a decent operating profit margin.
In 2019, Bucher Industries pursued its sustainability strategy with great commitment, despite increasingly challenging markets. The focus of its efforts continued to be on the efficiency and productivity of its products, as this is the biggest lever the Group has to contribute to a sustainable future. Bucher Industries utilises the Standards of the Global Reporting Initiative to report its sustainability efforts.
After 15 years as division president of Bucher Emhart Glass, Martin Jetter is handing over to Matthias Kümmerle, who has headed the Technology division of Bucher Emhart Glass since 2011. The change will take effect on 1 January 2021.
Bucher Industries was confronted with lower capacity utilisation and the growing repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic during the first quarter of 2020. Order intake and sales were down. Production had to be temporarily halted at various locations and difficulties arose in the supply chain. Measures were implemented to safeguard liquidity and profitability.
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 8.00 per registered share. The AGM was held without the physical attendance of shareholders. A total of 72.01% of the votes were represented by the independent proxy holder.
The annual general meeting of Bucher Industries on 24 April 2020 will be held without the physical attendance of shareholders in accordance with the Federal Council Ordinance on Measures to Combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19 Ordinance 2). The exercise of voting rights may be delegated to the independent proxy holder by written or electronic proxy.
Due to the current development with the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the related directives of the French Government, Bucher Industries has decided to temporarily shut down production sites in France.
The financial year 2019 was defined by a challenging market environment, with demand still very high but slowing. Sales were up again slightly on the excellent previous year. The Group’s operating profit margin was 9.2%. Profit for the year was CHF 228 million. The board of directors proposes a dividend of CHF 8.00 per registered share.
For Bucher Industries, 2019 was a year defined by a challenging market environment. Demand declined overall, albeit from a very high level. Thanks to the exceptionally strong order book at the beginning of the reporting period and a significant increase at Bucher Emhart Glass, sales rose again slightly over the very strong previous year. The Group expects operating profit for the reporting period to fall just slightly short of the good result achieved in 2018. The Group’s profit for the year is expected to be on a par with that of the previous year.