Liebherr Group achieves highest turnover in its history

The 2012 business year progressed well for the Liebherr Group. Although the reduced dynamism of the world economy had a noticeable effect on orders received in the final months of the year, this no longer influenced turnover significantly. Liebherr increased its total sales revenue in the past business year by more than 760 million € (more than 9 %) to 9.1 billion €.

In the construction machinery and mining product areas, Liebherr increased its sales revenue by almost 490 million € or 9 %. Total sales revenue from these areas was approximately 5,870 million €. As in the previous year, this represented about two-thirds of the Group’s total turnover.

There was an above-average rise in turnover from the mining division, by almost 280 million € or 28 %. This was a slight increase on the previous year’s rate of growth. Total sales revenue from mining equipment was 1,290 million €.

After a decrease in the previous year, the mobile cranes division has also grown at an above-average rate, by more than 200 million € or 12 % to a total figure in excess of 1,940 million €.

In the earthmoving, tower cranes and concrete technology divisions, sales revenue remained at approximately the same level as in the previous year. Sales of earthmoving equipment brought Liebherr a turnover of approximately 2,060 million €. The tower cranes and concrete technology division generated a turnover of some 580 million €.

In areas outside construction machinery and mining equipment, the Liebherr Group achieved a total sales revenue of 3,220 million €, equivalent to an increase of about 280 million € or 9 %. There was growth in all the relevant divisions: The maritime cranes division recorded growth of more than 20 million € or 3 % to a total turnover of approximately 830 million €. The increase in turnover from the aerospace and transportation systems division was above average: compared with 2011 it rose by almost 120 million € or 13 %, and reached approximately 1,030 million €. Progress in the machine tools and automation systems area was particularly satisfactory, too: turnover reached almost 260 million €, more than 70 million € or 39 % higher than in the previous year. Turnover from the domestic appliances division totalled some 890 million € and was therefore 45 million € or 5 % higher than in 2011. Growth was also achieved in the Group’s other product and service areas, where turnover went up by almost 20 million € or 9 % to more than 210 million €.

In the 2012 business year, total investment by the Liebherr Group was in the region of 840 million €, an increase of more than 170 million € or over 25 %. These investments were devoted to modernisation and enlargement of the worldwide production network and further strengthening of the sales and service organisation.

The Group’s workforce grew again significantly in the review year, at the end of which Liebherr employed some 37,800 people worldwide, an increase of approximately 2,470.

In 2013 Liebherr currently expects total turnover to reach the same level as in 2012. Relatively moderate development is to be expected in the construction machinery and mining areas in particular. Investments will be at approximately the past business year’s level. Since the sales and service network is to be enlarged again and capacity increased at various production locations, creation of further new jobs is planned for 2013.