The company has reported a challenging first half of 2025, with sales declining by 19% to CHF 667 million compared to the same period in 2024. The downturn is attributed to geopolitical instability, the impact of tariffs, and delayed investments—particularly in the corrugated sector.
🏭 Corrugated Sector: A Mixed Picture
The Printing & Converting Business Unit, which includes corrugated machinery, saw EBIT plunge from CHF -5.8 million in H1 2024 to CHF -42.4 million in H1 2025. Bobst cites:
- Overcapacity among key corrugated accounts
- Investment freezes totaling CHF 80+ million
- Absence of major trade shows like drupa
Despite this, long-term demand for fiber-based packaging and automation remains strong, especially in emerging markets.
🔮 Outlook: Strategic Patience Amid Uncertainty
Bobst expects full-year 2025 sales to decline ~15% compared to 2024, with EBIT projected to be less than half of last year’s CHF 141.6 million. The company remains cautious but committed to long-term innovation, service expansion, and digital integration.
Yet, when viewed through the lens of the past decade, Bobst’s trajectory remains impressive.
📊 10-Year Financial Snapshot: From Resilience to Retrenchment
| Year | Sales (CHF million) | Operating Result (EBIT) | Net Result | Notable Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ~1,200 (est.) | — | — | Post-crisis recovery begins |
| 2018 | ~1,500 | — | — | Expansion in Asia |
| 2020 | 1,372 | CHF 13.3M | CHF 30.6M | COVID-19 impact |
| 2022 | 1,841 | CHF 142.2M | CHF 114.3M | Strong rebound |
| 2023 | 1,960 | CHF 149.7M | CHF 118.7M | Record sales |
| 2024 | 1,891 | CHF 156M | CHF 96M | Solid performance despite lower orders |
| H1 2025 | 667 | CHF 5.4M | CHF -3.3M | Investment delays, geopolitical risks |
Over the past decade, Bobst has nearly doubled its annual sales, expanded its service offerings, and invested heavily in digital transformation. The Services & Performance Business Unit, for example, posted an EBIT of CHF 49.6 million in H1 2025—up CHF 8.3 million from the previous year.
For full details, visit the official Bobst financial report.
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