Investors

In the 2020 financial year the Orell Füssli Group’s net sales and operating earnings (EBIT) were lower than in the previous year. The majority of the decline is attributable to the difficult market environment caused by Corona, the postponement of orders in security printing and the sale of a Zeiser activity in the previous year.

Orell Füssli achieved results in line with expectations in the 2020 financial year. Net sales in the past ­financial year were 8% lower than in the same period of the previous year and amounted to CHF 218.6 ­million (CHF 237.4 million in the previous year). Operating income (EBIT) amounted to CHF 14.4 million, a reduction of 20% compared with the previous year (CHF 18.2 million). The Orell Füssli Group’s net result for the 2020 financial year increased to CHF 15.0 million (previous year CHF 10.9 million) due to tax and financial effects. Shareholders’ equity including minority interests was slightly lower at CHF 144.5 million (previous year CHF 147.8 million). The equity ratio of 68.4% is slightly above the previous year (66.8%).

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.