Johannes Wick, CEO of the Grains & Food (GF) segment, explains in this video that the business experienced a particularly good year and a strong recovery. Order intake grew 12.2% to CHF 1.8 billion, coming close to the pre-coronavirus levels of 2019, and turnover was stable at CHF 1.7 billion. All business areas within GF contributed to this positive development. Regionally, the upturn was the strongest in the Northern Hemisphere. All businesses reported milestones, be it with new orders, the insects business, the start of operations, Mill E3, and market launches such as new optical sorting and scale platforms. New strong partners add to GF’s innovation ecosystem, and the joint venture with Premier Tech has proven an immense success. With our new Belgium technology partner Vyncke, we are now able to provide integrated solutions for low carbon food plants.
Business review
Continuous innovation, even during challenging times, is a key pillar of our success. We took important steps in 2021 in implementing our commitment to reduce climate change and generate solutions that unlock sustainable businesses. While the pandemic continued to present challenges, we successfully secured operations, supply chains, deliveries, and services. With a positive turnaround of orders, stable turnover, and profitability, our financial position in 2021 was improved and we are very satisfied with the outcomes of the year.
Business review
Continuous innovation, even during challenging times, is a key pillar of our success. We took important steps in 2021 in implementing our commitment to reduce climate change and generate solutions that unlock sustainable businesses. While the pandemic continued to present challenges, we successfully secured operations, supply chains, deliveries, and services. With a positive turnaround of orders, stable turnover, and profitability, our financial position in 2021 was improved and we are very satisfied with the outcomes of the year.
General overview
A next level
Bühler has strengthened its market positions as a result of its innovations in new products, services, and applications. CEO Stefan Scheiber and CFO Mark Macus explain how Bühler was able to secure timely deliveries to customers even under difficult conditions thanks to its strong global production, supply, service network, and its dedicated people. At the same time, Bühler further improved its financial stability with improvements in the net liquidity and the equity ratio. Order intake grew by 15.6% to CHF 3.0 billion, while turnover remained stable at CHF 2.7 billion, and net profit grew by 3.2% to CHF 113 million.
Our strategy
2021 marked the first year of the implementation of our Destination25 strategy, our pathway for creating real impact for a better world. For the years to come, we have set goals for improved profitable growth while balancing humanity, nature, and economy in every decision and thereby delivering impact on the purpose that binds us together – our commitment to reduce climate change and generate solutions that unlock sustainable business opportunities in the global food, feed, and automotive industries for our customers.
2021 at a glance
Annual results by business
Germar Wacker, CEO of the Consumer Foods (CF) segment, explains in this video the recovery experienced by the business in 2021, mainly driven by its ability to integrate solutions along complete value chains and by the upward trend in the baked goods market. CF reported an increase in order intake of 6.5% to CHF 584 million. Turnover went down 11.3% to CHF 509 million due to time lags between orders and commissioning. The Chocolate & Coffee and the Confectionery business reported stable orders. Wafer and Biscuit experienced accelerated demand from Europe starting in the second half of 2021. A growing number of customers approached Bühler in 2021 with requests to improve their ecological footprint, via reducing new lines with ovens that consume less energy, or through retrofits and the establishment of recovery systems. Customers are also seeking close partnerships for product development and to collaborate on innovation.
Samuel Schär, CEO of Bühler’s Advanced Materials (AM) segment, explains in this video that all businesses of AM grew in 2021, driven by strong market trends – the strongest being the growth of electromobility. Order intake grew by 36.8% to CHF 620 million, and turnover grew by 14.9% to CHF 509 million. The Grinding & Dispersing business reported record order intake, mainly attributed to the boom in lithium-ion batteries for electromobility. The Die Casting business profited from the recovery of the automotive market both for traditional parts, and thanks to the growing electromobility market. The Leybold Optics business for vacuum-coating equipment for optical thin-film layers also made a strong contribution to AM due to strong developments in the semiconductor and telecommunications segment, ophthalmics, the rising need for laser technology, and again, the electromobility sector where coated glass improves battery life.
There for our customers
Manufacturing, Logistics & Supply Chain
Dr. Holger Feldhege, Chief Operations Officer responsible for Manufacturing, Logistics & Supply Chain (MLS) explains how the company kept its global operations running despite the many challenges posed by the pandemic around the world, and why it emerged stronger as a result. While the global supply chain disruptions continue to be a major challenge impacting global markets with shortages of supplies, long lead times, and high transportation costs, MLS was prepared to manage the pandemic disruptions due to plans established in 2020 that it continues to build on. The changes and adjustments MLS implemented in the past 2 years have sustainably and positively influenced how Bühler distributes manufacturing capacity and supply chain, how it adjusts logistics, and how it mitigates risks. Established processes and dedicated teams enable Bühler to manage evolving situations effectively. Watch the video to learn more from Holger Feldhege about why MLS and Bühler are well prepared for 2022 and beyond.
Global Services & Sales Organization
Samuel Schär, Chief Services & Sales Officer – Group, says the set-up of Bühler’s Service business has proven extremely effective throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, enabling the company to stay close to customers despite travel restrictions. In 2021, the Service business was strategically transformed to raise customer service to unprecedented levels, resulting in the best customer service year to date. In terms of regional growth, Bühler experienced a strong bounce back with Middle East and Africa up 31%, South America grew 22%, North America was up 21%, and Europe also was strong at plus 13%. Asia grew 7%, down slightly from 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19. China saw record orders in 2021. In terms of regional size, Asia now represents 32% of Bühler compared to 34% in 2020, China is at 22% compared to 23% in 2020, and Europe makes up 31%, compared to 32% in 2020. Watch the video to learn why Samuel Schär believes Bühler is fantastically positioned to support customers in 2022.
Results at a glance
Outlook: Improving performance, improving impact
In our view, the economic environment will continue in its main patterns. The Covid-19 pandemic will continue to have impacts on the markets. The high volatility and unpredictability will remain, so too the tensions and shortages in the global supply chains and transportation systems. On the other hand, the recovery and transition of key industries such as food, feed, and mobility will continue creating new demands for solutions and services.
For Bühler, this means keeping the innovation rate high and utilizing the many opportunities arising in this challenging time. We assume that we will improve our performance with good growth at an increased profitability level in 2022.
To improve on the new balance of nature, humanity, and economy, we will conduct our next Bühler Networking Days in June 2022 in Uzwil. We have hosted Networking Days events every three years since 2016. We have invited industry leaders from around the globe and expect around 800 decision makers to come.
We will showcase inspiring, pragmatic, and replicable examples from customers and partners and highlight innovative technologies, solutions, and services. “Accelerating impact together” is the motto – can there be a better purpose to collaborate and drive business?
Do you have a question? Contact our Media Relations team.
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