Hochdorf Group from Switzerland focused on its technology expertise in 2022 and made steady operational progress with improved earnings quality. The gross margin was 29.9 % in the second half of the year, with an upward trend. Despite 80.7 % higher energy costs and a sharp rise in raw material costs, the company achieved a narrowly positive operating profit at Ebitda level in the second half of the year, thus significantly exceeding projections.

In the second half of 2022, the group continued its strict adjustment of the product range and customer premiums initiated in the spring to improve earnings quality. The company used this process to make contract and price adjustments that are gradually having a positive effect. At the same time, higher energy, raw material and logistics costs as well as currency fluctuations burdened the results in the reporting year.

The company result for 2022, which is affected by legacy burdens, amounted to CHF –15.8 m. A binding financing confirmation has been received from the existing bank consortium with regard to a two-year extension of the financing agreement that expires in September 2023. The company considers itself to be on track with the implementation of its strategy, establishing the basis for financial recovery in the medium term. The goal for 2023 is to achieve a positive Ebitda.