Sulzer reports strong results for 2023 with a sales increase of 13.2% compared to the previous year and a marked increase in operational profitability. Order Intake in 2023 increased by 13.9% with all three divisions contributing to this performance. Operational profit (EBITA) increased by 25.3% thanks to solid sales growth and effective cost management. Given the significantly increased operational profitability and stringent management of employed capital, these reported figures are at a 10 year high. Sulzer capitalized on good market momentum, focused sales efforts and the first results of our Sulzer Excellence initiatives.

Executive Chairwoman Suzanne Thoma stated: “Due to favorable market conditions, our good positioning, first operational improvements and growth initiatives, we substantially increased the top and bottom line. Supported by this strong performance and our solid order backlog, we have raised our full year guidance. Our diversified portfolio in attractive markets and geographies lays the basis for a resilient development in the mid- and long-term.”

Executive Chairwoman Dr. Suzanne Thoma stated: “This solid underlying result proves our resilience in a market environment characterized by geopolitical tensions and uncertainties. Our technologies are making a significant contribution to solving some of the most pressing challenges our society faces – while driving profitable growth. Our confidence in Sulzer’s future performance is reflected in the proposed dividend of CHF 3.50 per share.”

CEO Frederic Lalanne stated: “We navigated through a difficult market environment characterized by geopolitical uncertainties and inflationary pressures. Thanks to our diversified product portfolio, strong operational execution, and strict cost management, we managed to further increase operational profitability. Supported by our solid order backlog, we are well-positioned to capture the continuing momentum and yet again deliver on our guidance and continue our profitable growth.”

CEO Greg Poux-Guillaume stated: “Once again, Sulzer met or exceeded all its targets, continuing a trend of strong results regardless of the market environment. Our strategic growth initiatives in Renewables, Water and Service are paying off, and our one market that was struggling, Energy, has started to rebound. I am honored to have led the people of Sulzer and pleased to leave the company in very good shape, at the start of another strong phase of growth and with record-high profitability in every division. Our confidence in Sulzer’s future is reflected in the proposed dividend of CHF 3.50 per share.”

CEO Greg Poux-Guillaume stated: “We are reaping the benefits of the investments we made in our strategic growth markets, and the decisive cost actions we undertook last year. Together, they are helping us achieve this strong performance as the world moves back towards normality and our markets continue to recover. We are poised to capitalize on the considerable opportunities ahead of us.”

Amid difficult market dynamics caused by the pandemic, Sulzer was able to deliver yet another resilient performance with orders only softening by 2.2% and sales by 4.6%. This was supported by continued growth in the aftermarket business, strong demand in China, and positive development in Water and Chemicals. Solid operational execution and strict cost-saving measures helped reach an operational profitability of 9.0%. For the second consecutive year, Sulzer delivered a record free cash flow, amounting to CHF 272.1 million in 2020.

Sulzer’s order intake remained strong in the first half of 2020 despite a significant COVID-19 impact. Compared with the same period of the prior year, order intake grew by 1.7% on good demand in Rotating Equipment Services and Pumps Equipment. Sales decreased by 3.9% due to lockdowns. The lower sales volume led to a decrease in operational EBITA and an operational ROSA of 7.5%. Sulzer took decisive measures early on to mitigate the impact of market disruptions.

In 2019, Sulzer was again able to generate significant organic growth, 6.3% for order intake and 10.8% for sales. Acquisitions added roughly another 2% to those numbers, while further diversifying the company’s business and making it less cyclical. The continued positive development in the vast majority of end markets, and particularly in the water and chemicals markets, resulted in growth for all divisions except Applicator Systems. Sulzer reached double-digit profitability and delivered a record level of free cash flow, at CHF 213.4 million.

Order intake grew by 8.7% in the first half of 2019 compared with the same period of 2018, driven by increasing order volumes in the Water business and in Chemtech. Sales increased by 13.1%. Operational EBITA increased by 15.4%, resulting in an operational ROSA of 9.0%.

In 2018, order intake increased by 12.5% on a currency-adjusted basis and by 8.4% organically. Sales increased by 11.9% and by 7.8% organically. Operational EBITA rose by 26.7% and the operational EBITA margin increased to 9.5%.

In 2017, Sulzer returned to organic order intake growth. Order intake increased by 11.8% on a currency-adjusted basis and by 2.2% organically. Sales increased by 5.2% on a currency-adjusted basis and decreased by 4.4% organically. Operational EBITA rose compared with the previous year, and the operational EBITA margin increased slightly to 8.4%.