In the 2021 financial year, the Artemis Group achieved significantly higher net sales and a substantially higher net profit. The company benefited from strong demand, especially in the construction materials related business areas. The Group’s consolidated net sales exceeded the pre-pandemic level and increased by 18.6% to CHF 3.31billion.EBIT improved by 181.0% to CHF 209.8 million thanks to net sales growth and reduced negative one-off effects, EBIT margin at 6.3% (previous year 2.7%). Net profit grew by 204.9% to CHF 313.7 million.
Total investments were up 27.0% from CHF 176.6 million to CHF 224.3 million, most of which was used to expand or improve various production plants (Franke Group and Feintool Group). Another part went into the acquisition of the remaining 60% shares in Franke Coffee Systems UK (Franke Group), the further development of residential and commercial real estate projects (Artemis Real Estate Group) in Switzerland and abroad.
The Franke Group realized net sales of CHF 2.56 billion in the reporting year (previous year CHF 2.18 billion), an increase of 17.4%. All its three divisions contributed to this strong net sales increase with significant double-digit growth rates. Franke Home Solutions benefited from a sharp recovery in demand in the reporting year and achieved organic growth of 18.2%. Franke Foodservice Systems also experienced a robust increase in global demand from quick-service restaurant chains and convenience stores, resulting in a currency-adjusted increase in net sales of 32.6%. Franke Coffee Systems did not benefit from a recovery in demand until the second half of 2021, as the global foodservice sector continued to be affected by the negative impact of the pandemic for longer, but still achieved organic growth of 23.9%.