In 2020, Bühler proved to be a reliable partner to all its stakeholders and showed robust business performance. Protection of the health of employees, securing supply chains for customers and keeping the innovation rate high were the top priorities.

Despite adverse conditions, Bühler fulfilled all customer contracts and delivery agreements without interruptions. And the company launched major innovations for key markets. The group gained additional financial strength, with equity ratio reaching 44.2 % (+ 1.4 %) and net liquidity soaring to CHF 749 m (+ 66.8 %). Turnover was CHF 2.7 bn (– 17.0 %), with order intake amounting to CHF 2.6 bn (– 16.7 %).

Driven by diligent finance management, operating cash flow jumped by 211 % from CHF 151 m to CHF 470 m. Strict cost management allowed Bühler to offset a significant part of the adverse volume impact, resulting in Ebit of CHF 146 m (previous year: CHF 248 m), and an Ebit margin of 5.4 % (7.6 %). “For 2021, we expect our business volume and profitability to stay stable, as the coronavirus crisis will have a longer lasting effect in our businesses,” said CEO Stefan Scheiber.