This means that ebm-papst has exceeded the 2.5 billion euro mark for the first time in the company's history, despite a difficult market environment characterized by global political conflicts and material shortages.

Double-digit sales growth

Compared to the previous year (2.292 billion euros), this represents an increase of almost eleven percent. At the same time, the number of employees grew to a total of 14,940 worldwide. In the current financial year, ebm-papst is planning moderate turnover growth in the mid single-digit percentage range. Looking back, Dr. Klaus Geißdörfer, CEO of the ebm-papst Group, refers to the enormous challenges: "Behind us lies a financial year characterized by high tension on the procurement markets due to global political crises and pandemic-related challenges". Despite great efforts and flexibility at all levels of work and an investment program of 165 million euros, the company was not able to "fully meet the enormous market requirements and demand for our energy-efficient solutions, particularly due to the global competition for electronic components," Geißdörfer regrets.

Expenditure on research and development increased

As part of the "Building the future together" strategy launched in 2022, the company continues to focus on quality and responsibility towards customers and employees. The focus is on sustainability, digitalization, innovation and promoting young talent. Particular attention is being paid to the growth markets of America and Asia. In addition to record investments in domestic and foreign locations, ebm-papst is once again increasing its expenditure on research and development to 140.2 million euros.

High investments in the expansion of production and the development of heat pumps as well as the development of highly energy-efficient and intelligent fans are a central component. The new electronics innovation center in Mulfingen, which is nearing completion, as well as investments in the USA, Asia and Eastern Europe are also related to this. The company is concentrating on its core business of air and heating technology. "ebm-papst has become the global market leader in many segments thanks to its innovative strength, its striving for quality and its engineering skills," says Geißdörfer. "We are leading air technology into a new era," he adds.

Climate protection is on the agenda

ebm-papst is clearly committed to climate protection with the goal of being climate-neutral by 2025. This includes the company's directly and indirectly generated emissions. "We will therefore make greater use of green electricity and our own PV systems and attach great importance to energy efficiency and the circular economy," says CFO Hans Peter Fuchs.

An important step towards consolidating the global corporate structure is the completion of the new ebm-papst headquarters "one Shanghai" in China, which will be occupied in the course of the year, as part of the "local for local" strategy. ebm-papst has been pursuing an internationalization strategy for years in order to respond to customer needs and local market requirements in the regions of Europe, America and Asia independently and in the best possible way, as well as to establish an independent supply chain.