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Year on year, the record figure represents a sales revenue increase for the major German construction and mining equipment manufacturer of €425 million or 4.8%.
In 2015, Liebherr generated growth both in the construction machinery and mining section, as well as in its other business sections covering maritime cranes, aerospace and transportation systems, machine tools and automation systems, domestic appliances, components and hotels divisions.
Revenue from Liebherr’s construction machinery and mining product area increased by €337 million or 6.4% to € 5.631 billion. This section includes the earthmoving, mining, mobile cranes, tower cranes and concrete technology divisions. In divisions other than construction machinery and mining, revenue increased by €88 million or 2.5% to € 3.617 billion.
Business developed quite differently in the various sales regions. Sales declined in Eastern Europe and on the African continent. But increases were posted in the Middle East, the Far East and Australia and in America. In Western Europe – Liebherr's most important sales region – revenue was largely unchanged from the previous year.
The number of employees within the Group rose again last year. At the end of the year, some 42,000 employees were working for Liebherr. That represents a year-on-year increase of 1,080.
Investments in the production sites and the worldwide sales and service network are extremely important for the Group. Last year, substantial investments were made totalling €746 million.
Key Liebherr projects in 2015 included the expansion of the diesel and gas engine production facilities at Bulle, Switzerland, which extends over several years, and the construction of a new logistics centre for the worldwide supply of spare parts for Liebherr earthmoving machines near Kirchdorf an der Iller, Germany. The logistics centre began operations at the start of 2015. In addition, the Group continued the expansion of the production facilities for aerospace equipment at Lindenberg, Germany. Liebherr successfully concluded the construction of a subsidiary factory for drive and control technology components in Biberach an der Riss, Germany. Also at Biberach an der Riss, the tower crane production company based there invested in a new powder-coating facility.
At Deggendorf, Germany, construction work began on a new production site. Micro-precision components will be developed and produced there from the end of 2016. At Ettlingen, Germany, the Group expanded its centre for remanufacturing drive and control components with the construction of a new hall. At the port of Fenit, Ireland, the Irish maritime cranes production company began the construction of a new assembly hall. The domestic appliances production company at Radinovo, Bulgaria, expanded its production and logistics infrastructure.
Furthermore, Liebherr invested in its sales and service companies all around the world. Liebherr-Australia concluded its expansion project at Adelaide and opened a subsidiary in Auckland, New Zealand. The Canadian Liebherr subsidiary expanded its facilities at Burlington and opened a centre for remanufacturing mining components at Acheson. Liebherr also strengthened its sales organisation in Switzerland by expanding the facilities at Daillens. New customer centres were opened in Durban, South Africa, Kusbass, Russia and in Bogotá, Columbia.
For the current year, the International Monetary Fund expects the global economy to grow slightly more strongly than it did in 2015. The Liebherr Group expects a moderate growth in revenue. Increases are expected in most product areas. The Group hopes to enjoy positive impetus from bauma 2016, the leading international trade fair for construction machines, which will take place in Munich, Germany, 11-17 April.
The final sales revenue figures for 2015 will be announced by the Liebherr Group with the publication of the Annual Report in June 2016.
