Net sales of CHF 559.7 million (±0.0%, +2.3% in local currencies) were again achieved, while incoming orders fell as expected to CHF 546.5 million. (-7.8 percent compared to the previous year, -5.7 percent in local currencies). Net profit rose sharply by 8.2 percent to 56 million Swiss francs.

The picture for the individual regions was mixed in the 2019 financial year: Sales rose by 4.4% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and by 12.9% in Asia, while they fell by 13.8% in the Americas due to the absence of one-off major projects compared to the previous year. Consolidated incoming orders were down 7.8% on the previous year's record figure, although the decline in local currencies was more moderate at 5.7%.

The rise in the Swiss franc had a noticeable impact on net sales, which at CHF 559.7 million remained almost unchanged from the previous year (CHF 559.9 million). In local currency, sales growth amounted to 2.3 percent.

As expected, incoming orders fell by 7.8% to CHF 546.5 million in the 2019 financial year (previous year: CHF 592.6 million). In local currencies, the decline was more moderate at 5.7%. Apart from the absence of one-off major orders, business momentum slowed in all markets in the second half of the year.

Outlook: Cautiously optimistic despite mixed signals
The Group has made a positive start to the 2020 financial year. According to the company, there was unforeseen short-term downside potential in the core markets, which was partly caused by the sudden emergence of the coronavirus. Nevertheless, medium-term market demand remains strong and Interroll's sustained expansion in the market is accompanied by the need to increase capacity. As a result, new plants in all regions will soon start operations.

"We are looking forward to an excellent innovation pipeline in the coming months and years," explains Paul Zumbühl, CEO of the global Interroll Group. "The strong financial situation allows the Group to continue to invest resolutely in capacity expansion and digitalization in the 2020 financial year and beyond."

In March, Interroll announced additional investments of around 25 million Swiss francs in Suzhou, China, in order to better exploit the medium to long-term growth opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region. as