Incoming orders exceeded the previous year's figure by 10.3%. Group sales also continued to grow. At 1,636.8 million euros, the previous year's figure (1,511.6 million euros) was exceeded by 8.3 percent. The number of employees in the Sick Group worldwide grew by 10.5 percent.

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) fell in the 2018 financial year. In total, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted to EUR 117.5 million (2017: EUR 148.8 million). EBIT thus remained at a high level of 7.2% (2017: 9.8%), taking into account the planned increase in innovation expenditure to 11.8% of sales. The development forecast at the beginning of the year was thus achieved, albeit clouded by signs of overheating on the procurement markets, which led to considerable additional costs on the cost of materials side.

"With the targeted increase in the R&D share, we are increasing our innovative strength in the course of the technological shift towards artificial intelligence and thus securing our future viability," says Dr. Robert Bauer, CEO of Sick AG, on the occasion of the publication of the balance sheet figures. "The already visible successes of our start-up initiatives prove us right: sensor intelligence benefits from deep learning and delivers new functionalities for sensors."

In Germany, sales grew by 1.3% compared to the previous year. In general, the flattening economic trend in the domestic market slowed Sick's growth momentum in Germany. Customers from the automotive and intra- and transport logistics sectors in particular were reluctant to invest in the 2018 financial year.

The sales region Europe, Middle East and Africa achieved an increase in turnover of 8.5%. Sales growth in North, Central and South America amounted to 10.1%. The main driver of this growth was increased customer demand from the USA.

Growth in the Asia-Pacific region was once again very dynamic. With an increase of 12.9%, sales growth remained in double digits in 2018. In China, the volume of business increased significantly once again.