Investors

The COVID-19 pandemic during the first half of 2020 was an extraordinary time for the company and for the economy, and also had an impact on the operations of the Orell Füssli Group. Thanks to a diversified and robust business model, a sound asset and financial position as well as professional crisis management, Orell Füssli was able to overcome the challenges successfully and to limit the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Orell Füssli achieved net revenues of CHF 104.1 million during the first half of 2020. The fall of 10% compared to the equivalent period last year (CHF 115.2 million) was mainly due to the effects of COVID-19, the different product mix for the Security Printing Division and the sale of Track & Trace activities by Zeiser. EBIT for the first half of 2020 fell to CHF 6.7 million (last year CHF 8.1 million). Half-year net income of CHF 8.0 million was significantly better than last year (CHF 5.4 million), mainly for tax reasons.

2019 was a good financial year for Orell Füssli. The transformation programme launched in 2018 is starting to take effect and is contributing to a reinforcement of the company’s market position and profitability.

Security Printing successfully completed the 9th banknote series for the Swiss National Bank and efforts directed towards optimising the product mix are making perceptible progress. At the Zeiser Division the focus on the core business of serialisation is proving its worth. Book Retailing can look back on a successful financial year in which it was able to expand its market position further.