Orell Füssli Ltd

Orell Füssli significantly increased sales and earnings in 2023 - Seite 2

Security Printing was able to win various new international customer projects last year. Orders were concluded from Paraguay and Madagascar, for example. The new Swiss driving licence was introduced in 2023, for which Orell Füssli acted as a general contractor. The division also presented new innovative concepts at various international conferences, such as a new design method for digital 3D design of banknotes.

For the first half of 2024 capacity utilisation in the Security Printing Division is at a good level, but the visibility for the second semester is currently low due to customer orders still under discussion. However, the division anticipates a further increase in sales and an EBIT margin slightly below the previous year's level due to the product mix in the current backlog.

Industrial Systems (Zeiser)

The Zeiser Division was able to increase sales and EBIT in the 2023 financial year. Sales rose to CHF 21.6 million (previous year CHF 20.9 million) and the operating result (EBIT) to CHF 3.6 million (previous year CHF 0.9 million). Various efficiency and cost-saving measures helped to increase the EBIT margin again to well above 15% after a previous year characterised by low earnings and one-off effects.

In 2023, the division recorded higher investments in new production equipment by customers, following a noticeable slowdown as a result of the pandemic and a lack of customer contacts. Incoming orders for new projects picked up, particularly in the second half of the year, and led to good capacity utilisation. For example, Zeiser received a significant order for a digital printing press for tax stamps from a state printer in Africa. The market launch of the new software solutions for Track & Trace systems is progressing well and the offering is attracting considerable customer interest.

The division expects a further increase in demand and good business development in 2024. In particular, rising customer interest in track & trace systems should contribute to a positive sales trend in the second half of the year.

Book Retailing

Orell Füssli Thalia Ltd continued to grow in 2023 and increased sales by 4.7% to CHF 235.0 million (previous year CHF 224.4 million). The proportionately consolidated sales of the Book Retailing Division of Orell Füssli Ltd increased to CHF 117.5 million (previous year CHF 112.2 million), corresponding operating earnings (EBIT) declined to CHF 8.0 million (previous year CHF 9.3 million) due to higher costs for salaries, rents and marketing.