Bobst Group achieves record sales in 2023 despite lower order entries than in 2022. The year-end backlog for both machines and services is lower than the previous year.
Both operating and net result are at high levels. Customer satisfaction is increasing gradually as the supply chain situation has improved considerably since summer 2023.
Bobst Group reached sales of CHF 1.960 billion in 2023, a rise of CHF 119 million, or 6.5%, from 2022. The operating result (EBIT) was CHF 147 million (CHF 141 million in 2022), while the net result was CHF 119 million (CHF 115 million in 2022).
The return on capital employed (ROCE) dropped to 24.9% from 28.7% in 2022. The cash inflow from operating activities was CHF 45 million, down from CHF 93 million in 2022. The cash position declined in the reporting year, leading to a net debt position of CHF 134 million, versus a net cash position of CHF 67 million in 2022. This was mainly due to the rise of net working capital during the reporting year and the extraordinary dividend paid in April 2023. The dividend was also the main reason for the fall in the equity ratio from 28.9% in the prior year to 25.7% in the reporting year.
Highlights
- Sales increased to CHF 1.960 billion from CHF 1.841 billion in 2022.
- Operating result (EBIT) at CHF 147 million (CHF 141 million in 2022).
- Net result at CHF 119 million (CHF 115 million in 2022).
- Cash inflow from operating activities of CHF 45 million (CHF 93 million in 2022).
- ROCE at 24.9% (28.7% in 2022).
- Net debt position at CHF 134 million from CHF 67 million net cash in 2022.
- Dividend of CHF 5 per share proposed in 2024 (CHF 5 regular dividend plus CHF 5 extraordinary dividend per share in 2023).
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