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24.02.2004
In its financial year 2003 the Netstal Group has been able to achieve a better result in spite of the continued slack global economy. Contributors to the good result were a well-balanced product portfolio, innovative new and further developments as well as client-specific services and concrete reduction measures introduced on the costs side.
In 2003 Netstal closed the financial year for the first time per the end of September.
The Management was newly formed per the beginning of 2003 and, headed by CEO Bernhard Merki, pursued the promising strategies for Netstal without compromise in the interest of a sustained stability of the enterprise. Focal points of this program are the geography-, product- and application-specific diversification, a guaranteed high quality and output of all products, the expansion of all services and the commitment to constantly setting new trends in the market as an innovator.
Facts and figures
In the financial year 2003 (1 Oct 2002 to 30 Sep 2003) the Netstal Group was able to surpass the results of the previous year. The operative result (EBIT) amounted to CHF 24.2 million (CHF 14.6 million in 2002), corresponding to a plus of 65.8%. The net profit went up by 47.1% to CHF 17.8 million (12.1 million in the prior year). The cash flow increased by 30.5% to CHF 27.4 million (CHF 21.0 million in 2002) and amounts to 8.5% of net sales. The net sales came to CHF 321.8 million (CHF 307.7 million in the previous year) and represent an increase of 4.6%. Orders received went up by 8% to CHF 323.7 million (CHF 299.7 million in the previous year).
The positive trend had its effect also on the number of employees. 30 jobs were created in a period that was difficult for all branches of the economy, bringing our workforce to a total of 850 persons.
To secure the future of the enterprise, approx. 5% of sales were spent on research and development, while investments in buildings and operating equipment came to CHF 5.5 million (CHF 8.5 million in the prior year).
Competitive products and future-oriented innovations
Netstal reacted to the ever higher competitive pressures in a stagnating market by offering high-quality products and services throughout its machine ranges. Approx. 65% of the business was transacted in Europe, while the remaining 35% concerned Asia and, in increasing proportion, North and South America.
Standard machines
Our well-proven SynErgy range for single- and multi-component standard applications requiring clamping forces from 600 to 6000 kN enabled us to hold our market shares. Here, particularly the markets for packaging and medical mouldings in Western Europe revealed to be highly resistant to the generally slow economy. In the packaging sector, equipment for the production of various closures for the beverages, foodstuffs and cosmetics industries enjoyed an increasing demand.
Optical Disc subsystems
The market volume in the field of Optical Discs increased markedly in 2003, primarily thanks to a rising demand in Asia and a growing portion of DVDs. The faster growth permitted Netstal to increase its share of the world market to 25%. Apart from the Discjet subsystem which has been selling well for years to producers of blank discs, Netstal has been able to give valuable new impulses by launching a fully-electrically driven machine which is unique in the market. The new subsystem under the name of e-Jet met the approval of the circle of potential clients right from the start. After release for sale in May 2003, no less than 70 e-Jets were delivered by the end of the year.
PET production systems
In the area of PET production systems, our system solution for preforms for PET bottles, a minor loss of market share was experienced with the PET-LINE range, mainly due to unfavourable exchange rates and other factors interfering with the economy. The competitiveness of our products for this branch of the industry is fully intact, however, which is substantiated by the fact that we hold the second place with a world market share of 20%. In 2003, North America and Asia emerged as strong-growth regions for our PET-LINE systems.
Efficient services
Netstal has always seen itself as a provider of comprehensive services. Our performance in this area is bundled in the 'Netstal Support Concept' which optimally supplements our product ranges and stands out by highest efficiency and unbureaucratic assistance from our Spare Parts Department, the After-Sales Service and the training centre. The Netstal Support Concept embraces the complete sales and service network around the globe and represents a decisive competitive advantage in the highly contested market.
Prospects for 2004
After 2001, a K-year is awaiting the plastics industry again. This globally most important trade fair of the plastics market is staged every three years and has always been a major provider of valuable impulses for innovation steps and investment planning. It is not least due to this highlight that a slight upwards trend is likely to occur in 2004.
In 2004 Netstal will continue the expansion of its product spectrum. The SynErgy range will be extended upwards to 8000 kN clamping force. Within the framework of our defined platform strategy the PET production systems will be further optimized as regards their economic efficiency. This with the objective of increasing the market share to 30%. The field of Optical Discs will see an application- and process-technical advance of our two subsystems Discjet and e-Jet in preparation for the optical data carrier formats of tomorrow.
In time for the K-exhibition this October Netstal will launch a completely new range of injection moulding machines. In a first phase the fully electrically driven models with clamping forces between 500 and 1750 kN will become available. The primary target clientele defined for these machines is the segment where high-grade technical plastic mouldings are produced.
Another central topic is the qualitative and quantitative expansion of our global sales and service network. Relying on the existing organization, Netstal wants to serve the growth market of Asia as efficiently as possible by opening a subsidiary in Shanghai and being nearer still to its customers.
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