The aim of ebm-papst neo is to market and distribute digital solutions. These include pioneering systems for intelligent data analysis, which ebm-papst neo uses to optimize the energy balance and air quality in buildings. "Digitalization in connection with energy efficiency is an important future field for the ebm-papst Group and opens up many opportunities for us," says Stefan Brandl, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "As a driver of innovation in air and drive solutions, we are using IoT and cloud technologies to develop new business models that will open up new growth potential for our company and, above all, offer our customers added value."

To this end, the company has invested in three international start-ups in recent months. This partnership enables rapid technology transfer, for example in the areas of "improving the energy balance and air quality in buildings" or "intelligent data analysis and storage".

Fiscal year sales stable at previous year's level
The family-owned company from Baden-Württemberg closed the 2019/20 financial year, which ended on March 31, 2020, with a turnover of 2.188 billion euros. In a difficult market environment characterized by Covid-19 and economic slowdowns, especially in the industrial business, ebm-papst confirmed the previous year's result (2.185 billion euros / plus 0.2 percent), according to the press release.

CEO Stefan-Brandl © ebm-papst

Stefan Brandl: "We can look back on a decent year of growth in the first three quarters, which in the end only just exceeded the previous year's turnover due to far-reaching precautionary measures to protect our employees, disruptions in the supply chains and a decline in incoming orders."

ebm-papst acted early and consistently in close international coordination to minimize the impact of Covid-19 on the Group. For the global market leader, the focus was on responsibility for the workforce and serving its customers. For example, ebm-papst supported the medical technology sector with components for ventilators, among other things. Securing liquidity is also key for ebm-papst.

Outlook for the coming financial year
For the current financial year, the company is taking a long-term view and planning with different economic scenarios. The same applies to investments, which are managed depending on economic developments worldwide. The EMC laboratory currently under construction in Mulfingen will be completed as planned.

The technology leader has earmarked around 110.1 million euros for research and development. Among other things, this will go towards further development in the areas of digitalization and IoT (Internet of Things) as well as aerodynamics and acoustics.

The number of permanent employees remained stable in the past financial year. There was a global reduction of 432 in the number of leased employees. ebm-papst has a total of 14,638 employees worldwide, including leased employees (previous year: 15,058).

Stefan Brandl: "The economic and corona crisis will place a heavy burden on us in the medium term and demand a lot from us. The measures taken by our federal government are therefore positive. They are forward-looking and provide the necessary economic impetus, particularly in the future areas of digitalization and climate technology." as