SFS Achieves Dynamic Sales Growth

SFS Group achieved attractive sales growth of 13.0% to CHF 778.6 million in the first half of 2017 and increased its profitability to 14.2%. SFS will change its accounting standards to Swiss GAAP FER for the annual report 2017.

Dynamic organic sales growth of 7.4% was achieved in the first half, mainly fueled by the successful ramp-up of new projects, gains in market share and the successful market performance of innovative products. Sound fundamentals in key end markets accentuated these growth drivers. Changes in the scope of consolidation, essentially the first-time consolidation of Tegra Medical and Ncase, contributed an additional 6.9% to top-line growth. Exchange-rate fluctuations had a slightly negative impact on sales (-1.3%).

The relevant markets for the Fastening Systems segment maintained their good momentum throughout the first half of 2017. Sales rose 7.6% year-on-year to CHF 190.2 million. Excluding exchange-rate fluctuations and changes in the scope of consolidation, sales were up by 7.8%. This attractive growth – and the ensuing increase in market share – can be traced to the market’s broad recovery and the successful uptake of the segment's innovative products. Profitability improved versus the previous year’s period, bringing the EBITA margin to 9.4% (prior year: 8.6%).