2023 saw Bühler boost its profitability while skillfully navigating a challenging and unstable global environment. Additionally, the equity ratio got better. Being a creative solution supplier, the business took advantage of several chances and increased its market share when major markets changed.

Orders somewhat improved, while turnover increased significantly in local currencies. Bühler is well-positioned for 2024 with a large order book of CHF2.0bn.

“We are satisfied with the outcome of 2023 and have proved again that we are a reliable partner in this dynamic world,” says Bühler CEO Stefan Scheiber.

“At the Group level and in Swiss Francs, Bühler performed well with a slightly increased turnover of CHF3.0bn (+1.0%). Order intake was CHF3.2bn (-3.8%) and the order book remained high at CHF2.0bn. EBIT rose by 8.9% to CHF216m with a corresponding EBIT margin of 7.2% (prior year: 6.7%). Net profit increased by 16.3% to CHF179m (prior year: CHF154m), corresponding with a margin of 5.9% (prior year: 5.2%). The impact of foreign exchange rates was significant. In local currencies, orders improved by 2% to CHF3.3bn, turnover by 7% to CHF3.2bn, and EBIT by 17% to CHF233m. In 2023, Bühler continued to strengthen its financial position, increasing the equity ratio to 51.1% (prior year: 49.8%),” according to a recent press release.

In 2023, expenses for R&D remained at a high level at CHF140m (4.7% of turnover), and around 50 new customer solutions were launched.

“We see profitable growth as a prerequisite for creating a positive impact for a better world. This conviction guides our investments in the future development of our company, into innovative products and services, as well as in the development, education, and training of people,” Stefan Scheiber mentioned.

In 2023, Bühler focused on the further implementation of its sustainability strategy. The highest impact Bühler can thereby create is with its customer solutions. In this respect, Bühler has committed to having solutions ready to multiply by 2025 that reduce energy, waste, and water by 50% in the value chains of customers. For its operations, it has developed a pathway to achieve a 60% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. By the end of 2023, Bühler achieved a reduction of nearly 20% compared to the 2019 baseline.

In 2023, Bühler continued to focus on training and education of both customers and employees. Customers not only benefited from training at different specialist schools on all continents but also from the broad offering of courses in the 25 Application & Training Centers around the world. With the opening of new locations in Brazil and Switzerland in 2023, Bühler added further to its capability to support its customers along complete value chains, from recipe development to final product development, and industrial scaling.

For its nearly 12,500 employees, Bühler built on its programs for development and lifelong learning. These enable its people to adapt and develop the skills needed to keep pace with a quickly changing and increasingly challenging work environment. Part of the concept is the Bühler Energy Center in Uzwil, Switzerland, which was opened in June. It contains three pillars: Health & Lifestyle, focusing on health management; Lifelong Learning, focusing on vocational and adult learning; and Prototyping & Production, focusing on new manufacturing technologies. In 2023, Bühler trained 544 apprentices globally, 293 of whom in Switzerland.

The economic climate in 2024 is still likely to be characterized by continued volatility. Nevertheless, Bühler is well-positioned to navigate through dynamic times and to benefit from new opportunities that arise. A carryover of CHF2.0bn orders serves as a stable starting position for the business in 2024. Bühler remains committed to its strategic goal of profitable growth, its sustainability targets, and supporting the further development of its customers and employees.