Growth was therefore significantly higher than the trend in the sensor industry, which the AMA Association for Sensors and Measurement had forecast at -1% for 2019. In 2019, Sick once again recorded a high order intake of EUR 1,774.1 million. The global workforce increased by 2.6% to 10,204 employees.

In addition to other measures to increase efficiency, the growth in sales contributed to a 13.1% increase in EBIT to EUR 132.9 million, which remained high at 7.6% of sales. Sick was thus able to meet its targets forecast for the 2019 financial year, even though the company was confronted with a slowdown in the global economy, the deepening of global trade disputes and a difficult market situation in factory automation in general and the automotive industry in particular. At 11.5 percent, the company once again invested a high proportion of its turnover in research and development.

"Many industries are facing profound structural change and the pace of digitalization continues to increase. Sick is maintaining its high level of investment in research and development in order to further advance new technologies together with our traditional automation business. This is the only way we can exploit the opportunities offered by digital technologies together with our customers in order to react more agilely to the rapidly changing economic conditions," says Dr. Robert Bauer, CEO of Sick AG.

More than 10,000 employees worldwide for the first time

In line with the growth in sales, the number of employees also increased slightly by 2.6% in the 2019 financial year. 10,204 employees work at Sick locations worldwide, 1,310 of whom are employed in research and development.

Even before the spread of the coronavirus began, the overall economic conditions were challenging. In the first few months of the 2020 financial year, Sick continued to record good sales and incoming orders. The company is monitoring the spread of the coronavirus and the shutdowns in many countries with great concern and implemented measures at an early stage to protect employees and the company and to remain able to deliver.

According to the company, it is becoming apparent that the order situation and business development in 2020 will be significantly impacted by the medical and economic crisis. However, even in the current crisis situation, demand for automation solutions, for example in logistics, is high.