PRESIDENT’S EDITORIAL
Helping customers succeed in the post-COVID industry
Dear readers,
Welcome to the first digital edition of our customer magazine Results Today. I hope you enjoy the look and feel of this magazine, which is published simultaneously with EMO Milano 2021, one of the most important and anticipated events in our industry. The topics are a reflection of our presence at the tradeshow.
According to our EMO motto "Your Experience – our Solutions", GF Machining Solutions' approach is more customer-centric than ever. You as our customer are at the center of everything we do. In addition, we take our corporate responsibility seriously and have set ourselves the goal of using our planet's resources sparingly, keeping in mind that they are not available indefinitely. One small example of this is to offer this magazine only in the digital format. This sustainability objective is in line with our new Strategy 2025, which consists of three focus areas: grow in attractive and resilient segments with dedicated solutions, improve performance through operational and functional excellence and enhance customer experience by stepping up quality and service.
Given the fact that the coronavirus crisis has affected our business and the way we work significantly, our aim is to support you as best as possible in the post-COVID industry. This means offering you complete, unique and innovative solutions, whichever segment you are working in, with advanced technologies and a team of experts who are available to advise you regarding services, training and digital tools that provide you with a competitive advantage.
In Results Today, enjoy an insight into our market regions, expert knowledge and inspiration on how our customers are overcoming their challenges together with us.
Key figures 2021
With its new EDM and laser machines as well as new digital services, GF Machining Solutions continues to be one of the technology leaders in the machine tool business. This is also underscored by the successful opening of a new center of competence in Schorndorf (Germany), exclusively focused on servicing the growing medical segment. The integration of a machine service provider in France and the development of new service offerings are driving the division’s ambition to strengthen this business segment. Order intake for the division grew significantly in 2021 (+33.3%), especially in segments such as MedTech, ICT, and high-precision solutions for e-mobility applications. Despite supply chain disruptions and a still subdued aerospace sector, GF Machining Solutions increased its sales by 20.3% to CHF 873 million (2020: CHF 725 million) with automation, laser, and EDM technologies as strong drivers of the business. The operating result (EBIT) reached CHF 47 million (2020: CHF 20 million), corresponding to a doubled EBIT margin of 5.4% compared with last year. Due to supply contracts with long duration, the increase in raw materials prices had a minor effect on 2021 sales.
Find out more about our 2021 key figures in our Annual Report.
GF Machining Solutions inaugurates new plants worldwide
GF Machining Solutions has inaugurated new plants and started work on facilities in different regions of the world. In September 2019, the Division inaugurated its new headquarters, production and innovation center in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, in October and November, GF Machining Solutions and GF Piping Systems broke ground for a new joint headquarters in Canada, and finally, in December of the same year, the new Division's plant in Changzhou was opened. In the meantime, employees in Biel and Changzhou have settled into their new buildings, and the facility in Canada has started operation.
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