Financial figures 2023
Strong financial year 2023 for Kuka, slow start in 2024
Kuka met and even exceeded its ambitious targets in 2023. In addition to Group-wide incoming orders (€ 4.0 billion, 2022: € 4.5 billion), sales (€ 4.1 billion) also exceeded the four billion euro mark for the first time. EBIT also rose for the first time to € 158.2 million. At 0.99, the book-to-bill ratio was below the previous year's figure (2022: 1.14).
Years of market knowledge, combined with innovative strength and a strong local presence in important markets such as North America and China, are convincing customers. The USA, for example, is Kuka's largest single market with a turnover of almost one billion euros. In addition, Kuka's expertise is helping more and more industries to remain competitive in the long term, particularly in a challenging environment.
Subdued first quarter of 2024
Global uncertainties, a pessimistic mood and a weak economy are currently weighing on the economy, both in Germany and worldwide. This is also affecting Kuka and customer demand. Kuka has started 2024 with a decline in incoming orders. "Despite the slow start, we are cautiously optimistic about this year and expect slight growth. In the medium term, we want to grow comprehensively," says Peter Mohnen.
Despite economic cycles, the automation industry is developing strongly - as confirmed by the International Federation of Robotics with the latest available surveys. According to these, the number of industrial robots in use worldwide reached a new record of 3.9 million in 2022.
"In this strong future market, it is crucial to be close to customers and markets," said Peter Mohnen. "Our top priority is to focus on constant change and agility rather than the status quo. This is the only way we can remain competitive. As a global Group, we have to help shape change and recognize trends early on. This ranges from AI-based robot programming to flexibly deployable robots that can grip unknown components better thanks to AI, right through to mobile autonomous assistants."
More mobile and flexible: trends in the automation market
Autonomous mobile robotics (AMR) is being driven by the shortage of skilled workers in logistics. Kuka is strategically expanding its AMR portfolio in this area, for example for the transportation of goods in production. "Customer interest is very high. Our goal is to be one of the top 5 manufacturers of autonomous mobile robots by 2027," says Reinhold Groß, CEO of Kuka Robotics.
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