Asset management and the milling sector support Bühler’s performance

Milling solutions and customer services have helped Bühler Group report stable turnover at CHF 3.0 billion (-0.8%), although orders declined, and the company maintained or even increased its market share at CHF 2.8 billion (-9.9%) in 2024.

Bühler CEO Stefan Scheiber says the company took the approach of ‘making things happen’ and continuing to invest in innovation and training as the global economic environment proved challenging.

“Our skilled and passionate employees deserve a big thank you, as they were yet again key to our success in a very demanding year,” says Scheiber.

The impact of foreign exchange rates was significant: in local currencies, turnover increased by 2.5% to CHF 3.1 billion, and order intake stood at CHF 2.9 billion (-7.0%).

Thanks to a focus on improving productivity, the Group’s profitability increased for the fourth consecutive year, resulting in an EBIT of CHF 227 million (7.6% of turnover; prior year: 7.2%). Net profit rose to CHF 189 million, corresponding to a margin of 6.3% (prior year: 5.9%). As a result, the company increased its equity ratio for the sixth year running to 52.8%, from 51.1% in 2023. With a special focus on inventory management globally, net working capital was reduced by 15.8% to CHF 554 million. Thanks to this and its improved profitability, the Group increased its operating cash flow to CHF 379 million (prior year: CHF 69 million). Consequently, net liquidity doubled to CHF 503 million.

“Our strong financial position makes us a long-term reliable partner to customers, industry partners, and bond holders,” says CFO Mark Macus.

The group dubbed 2024 as the year of milling following grains & food turnover growing by 2.0% to CHF 2,249 million, strongly driven by milling solutions, which reported a record year with turnover at an all-time high.

Over the past two years, milling solutions reinforced its global leadership position, adding 30,000 tonnes of daily processing capacity.

The customer service business, a key differentiator and enabler for Bühler’s customers, experienced strong turnover growth of 9.4% to CHF 1,057 million. This represents a 35.4% share of group turnover (prior year: 32.1%).

In 2024, Bühler enhanced its customer service portfolio, helping its customers grow their businesses while improving the efficiency of their installed assets, reducing their footprint both in terms of operational costs and emissions. Modernisation projects played an important role for customers. Strong growth was also noticeable in long-term service agreements, which grew to more than 4,000. These agreements include bundles of services such as on-site inspections, preventive maintenance, and remote support services.

Advanced materials turnover decreased by 8.5% to CHF 712 million, mainly due to normalisation of investment activities after the rebounds experienced post-pandemic, combined with significant uncertainties in the global automotive markets. At the same time, the coating and sputtering technologies of Leybold Optics generated strong results in their global market.

Bühler highlighted investments as key to shape the future. Expenses for research and development (R&D) remained high at CHF 138 million or 4.6% of turnover. In 2024, Bühler launched 40 new products and services into the market and further expanded its global customer-facing setup, opening three new research and training centres: the Grain Innovation Center in Uzwil, Switzerland, the Grain Processing Innovation Center in Kano, Nigeria, and the North American Insect Center in Saskatoon, Canada.

Bühler’s balanced geographical footprint once more contributed to the company’s stability. While turnover grew in the Middle East and in Africa, it continued to decline in China. Overall, Bühler’s regional share of turnover was balanced: the Americas 28% (prior year: 29%); Europe 27% (28%); Asia 26% (27%); and Middle East, Africa & India 19% (16%).

Scheiber sees Bühler as well prepared to capitalise on emerging opportunities in 2025 with its commitment to innovation, services, education, and training as it aims to create value for customers.

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