EBIT amounted to 202 million euros, an increase of 44% compared to the previous year. In addition, Sick achieved a positive net financial position of 60 million euros. In the major economies of the USA and China, Sick recorded pleasing sales growth of around 15% and 30% respectively. At the end of 2021, 11,022 people worked for the Group. This represents a 5.6% increase in the number of employees worldwide.

The course of business in 2021 continued to be characterized by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Manufacturing companies in particular had to react to disruptions in supply chains due to a lack of shipping containers, factory and port closures, low availability of materials and political and weather-related logistical bottlenecks. Despite the more difficult overall economic situation, Sick was able to achieve positive business development overall. Catch-up effects from the previous year also led to an improvement in the business situation.

Following the decline in sales in the difficult 2020 financial year due to the pandemic, growth in the 2021 financial year significantly exceeded the forecast. Turnover increased by 16% to 1,964 million euros (2020: 1,700 million euros). In addition, incoming orders increased by 34% to EUR 2,321 million (2020: EUR 1,726 million). With the 44% increase in EBIT, its share of sales also rose to 10% (EBIT margin 2020: 8%). The previous year's consolidated net profit was exceeded: At 148 million euros, the company achieved a 46% higher consolidated result than in the previous year (2020: 101 million euros).

"Our colleagues once again showed impressive commitment to the company last year. The results from the 2021 financial year are an outstanding joint achievement. The past year was characterized by many changes in the world and also at Sick, some of which presented challenges. Like our founder Dr. Erwin Sick, we face challenges with courage and confidence, and our corporate culture enables us to act dynamically and find creative solutions. One particular highlight of 2021 was our anniversary: despite the coronavirus pandemic, we were able to celebrate 75 years of innovation! I look forward to many more successful years in the exciting age of digital transformation," says Dr. Mats Gökstorp, CEO of Sick AG.

General conditions in the sensor industry

The industry association for sensor and measurement technology, AMA e.V., recorded a 20% increase in sales in 2021 compared to the previous year. Despite all the adversity, the industry has been recording a steady order intake for the past year and a half. High-tech production will continue to lead growth as the industry adapts to greater digitalization and automation. This structural change, which is being accelerated by the pandemic among other things, is boosting demand for sensor solutions and therefore growth in this sector. This is also confirmed by the figures from Sick AG.

Domestic market Germany and expansion of global markets

In the home market of Germany, sales also reached a new record high of 326 million euros after a pandemic-related decline in the previous year (2020: 284 million euros). The development in the factory automation business area was particularly pleasing, with the strongest growth. The forecast development was exceeded in all business areas.

Sales gains were also expanded on the global markets in 2021. The EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa) outperformed the previous year with sales growth of 12.5% to EUR 677 million (2020: EUR 601 million).

A larger increase can be seen in North, Central and South America (Americas). Sales were once again characterized by growth in the logistics automation sector in North America and amounted to EUR 450 million in 2021, which represents an increase of 16.2% compared to the previous year (2020: EUR 387 million).

With a 19.6% increase in sales, the Asia-Pacific region provided a positive surprise. Here too, growth clearly exceeded expectations. In the previous year, sales amounted to 428 million euros, while 511 million euros were achieved last year. The sales trend in China was particularly positive at around +30%.

Research and development

The consistently high level of investment in research and development (R&D) was increased from EUR 201 million in 2020 to EUR 210 million in 2021 (+4.6%).

One highlight of the 2021 innovations is condition monitoring, which is used in various applications. It is a cloud-based application that collects measured values, device parameters and vital signs from sensors and analyzers in order to independently draw conclusions from the results.

Another highlight is the InspectorP61x: A compact, powerful and fast-working all-in-one 2D vision sensor with integrated artificial intelligence and deep learning capability, which enables reliable inline vision inspections even in the tightest of spaces or mounted on a robot.

Operational capability was ensured at all times

For several months now, companies have been suffering from the tight supply situation on the procurement markets. Sick was able to successfully manage the component bottlenecks in 2021 through flexibility and creativity, so that all customers have been supplied so far - albeit with some delays. In this situation, Sick is benefiting from its strategic business relationships. The many years of close cooperation with customers and suppliers have created important relationships of trust on both sides, as a result of which both sides can now count on understanding and loyalty. Just like the supply bottlenecks, the coronavirus pandemic still poses risks in terms of operational capability. For this reason, the coronavirus planning team established in March 2020 has been maintained. This team continuously monitors the situation, evaluates it and derives the necessary measures to protect employees and the company.

Sick bears responsibility

The family-owned company Sick has always been responsible. The economic, ecological and social responsibility is reflected in the undiminished high level of R&D activities, the retention and recruitment of qualified employees, social commitment as well as the high quality standards and ecological sustainability objectives.

In 2021, Sick is setting a new benchmark in personnel development: the Sensor Intelligence Academy (SIA) has created a new center for creativity, exchange and further development in a modern new building in the Buchholz Castle Park near Freiburg. Modern learning concepts with hands-on learning and pioneering media technology enable employees, customers and external parties to learn flexibly and at a high level. Furthermore, Sick was once again able to position itself as a strong training company with 373 trainees (2020: 384) in the fields of IT, electronics, mechatronics, mechanics and commercial training.

Careful use of resources and the environment protects our own living space. In order to actively support this, Sick has defined 14 fields of action that have also made considerable progress towards achieving the sustainability goals in 2021. The company develops products that serve sustainability. For example, Sick supplies sensor solutions that enable customers to produce sustainably.

Situation in 2022

CEO Mats Gökstorp and CFO Markus Vatter see the greatest uncertainty for the current year in the coronavirus-related lockdowns in China. According to the CEO, business in Russia only accounted for around 1% of the total volume and was largely discontinued by Sick. In terms of energy supply, the Management Board is optimistic that it will be able to produce without restrictions even in the event of sanctions. Sick sees the balanced, economical use of energy as an important aspect. Dr. Mats Gökstorp: "The current prioritization of gas supplies for private households over industry urgently needs to be reconsidered. A balance must be found, the two sectors are too dependent on each other. Industry secures jobs, employment and prosperity in society."

The key figures at a glance