In 2024, Bühler increased its profitability reaching an EBIT of CHF 227 million (USD 252 million) and an EBIT margin of 7.6%. The equity ratio improved to 52.8%. The company further strengthened its financial stability with improved cash flow and increased liquidity.
In a challenging market environment, although orders declined, turnover remained stable, and Bühler maintained or even increased its market share. The main contributors to the successes of 2024 were Milling Solutions, Bühler’s largest business area, Leybold Optics, and the Customer Service business.
“In an increasingly uncertain global economic environment, we took our approach of ‘making things happen’ and continued investing in innovation and training. Our skilled and passionate employees deserve a big thank you, as they were yet again key to our success in a very demanding year,” said Bühler CEO Stefan Scheiber.
Animal feed industry
“The animal feed industry is still growing, with varying industry and consumer behaviors across different regions,” Scheiber said during Bühler’s Annual Results 2024 media conference. “For example, meat consumption in China continues to rise, while in Switzerland, it is declining.”
Despite these regional differences, the company is pleased with market developments in areas such as the Middle East, parts of Africa, and Southeast Asia. Scheiber specifically highlighted Indonesia as a key growth market for the aquafeed industry. Bühler plans to continue investing in the animal feed business in the upcoming year.
Strong Customer Service contributes to customer success
The Customer Service business experienced strong turnover growth of 9.4% to CHF 1,057 million (USD 1,173 million). This represents a 35.4% share of group turnover (prior year: 32.1%). In 2024, Bühler enhanced its customer service portfolio, helping its customers grow their businesses while improving the efficiency of their installed assets, reducing their footprint both in terms of operational costs and emissions. Modernization projects played an important role for customers. Strong growth was also noticeable in long-term service agreements, which grew to more than 4,000. These agreements include bundles of services such as on-site inspections, preventive maintenance, and remote support services.
Investments to shape the future
Bühler proactively shaped markets and industries with continued investments in innovation. Expenses for research and development (R&D) remained high at CHF 138 million (USD 153 million) or 4.6% of turnover. In 2024, Bühler launched 40 new products and services into the market and further expanded its global customer-facing setup, opening three new research and training centers: the Grain Innovation Center in Uzwil, Switzerland, the Grain Processing Innovation Center in Kano, Nigeria, and the North American Insect Center in Saskatoon, Canada. These centers provide customers with a collaborative platform to test new products and raw materials and scale ideas to industrial processes.
Balanced global business presence
Bühler’s balanced geographical footprint once more contributed to the company’s stability and reliability. While turnover grew in the Middle East and Africa, it continued to decline in China. Overall, Bühler’s regional share of turnover was balanced: the Americas 28% (prior year: 29%); Europe 27% (28%); Asia 26% (27%); and Middle East, Africa & India 19% (16%).
Outlook 2025: focus on financial robustness and profitability
Building on its order book of CHF 1.9 billion, Bühler foresees stable volume development in 2025. The company’s focus will be on remaining a reliable and innovative partner for customers and other stakeholders globally. World-class quality and project management, as well as excellent services provided locally in all key markets, will continue to be essential differentiators.
“Bühler is well prepared to capitalize on emerging opportunities in 2025. Our commitment to innovation, services, education, and training will remain as strong as ever and, through this, we aim to create value for our customers. At the same time, we will continue to invest in safe, attractive, and future-oriented workplaces for all our employees globally. The Bühler culture and values continue to be the foundation of everything we do, and our purpose, as always, is to create innovations for a better world,” said CEO Stefan Scheiber.
For more information, and the full report, visit Bühler's annual results 2024.
