The contracting automotive market and the global downturn triggered by the coronavirus pandemic have also impacted the Kistler Group, which earns over 70 percent of its income from automobile manufacturers and suppliers to the automotive industry who have been hit particularly hard. In 2020, sales declined by 22 percent to reach CHF 361 million (2019: CHF 466 million); after adjustments for currency-related effects, this represents a decrease of 18 percent. Nevertheless, the company is looking to the future with cautious optimism. Thanks to the strategic realignment that was launched in 2019 and has now been completed, Kistler sees itself as well positioned to tap new customer segments, step up its penetration of markets beyond the automotive sector and thus return to a growth trajectory.
“We have weathered 2020, the year that was dominated by the coronavirus pandemic; our extensive cost-cutting measures are starting to bite, and we can already plan with more certainty again,” Rolf Sonderegger, CEO of the Kistler Group, comments. “2021 will be a year of consolidation for us as the new structures become more firmly established and begin to take effect. We anticipate modest growth in the mid single-digit range.”
China is one of the Kistler Group’s strongest sales markets
The Kistler Group’s overall result for 2020 shows that China is developing into one of the company’s largest markets. By contrast, the German market turned in a disappointing result. Apart from the currency effect due to the strong Swiss franc, this was caused by several overlapping factors: the coronavirus pandemic hit the automotive industry as it was midway through a wide-ranging transformation phase. This aggravated the situation that had already arisen due to dwindling demand. Additional factors include pressure on combustion engines resulting from CO2 emission targets, as well as existing or planned prohibitions on combustion vehicles in many regions of the world. China is the only region showing clear signs of recovery since early summer, in the wake of the severe downturn at the beginning of 2020: by no means least, the upswing has been encouraged by the Beijing government’s measures to increase sales.
Cost-saving measures and agile development of markets
To overcome the challenges presented by this contraction, Kistler was obliged to make job cuts for the first time in its corporate history. The company implemented further savings by consolidating its sites in Germany and introducing the instrument of short-time working for some sections of the workforce in Switzerland and Germany; this is still in force at present. “However, the strategic realignment that Kistler has consistently driven ahead since 2019 is just as important as these savings measures,” Rolf Sonderegger emphasizes. “Thanks to simpler organizational structures, we can now cater with greater agility to markets both inside and outside the automotive industry, and we can respond to the requirements of customers in diverse segments – from technicians to managers.” To drive new developments ahead, Kistler is investing around 9 percent of its sales revenue in digitalization and innovation. Over 300 developers are already working in these areas today.
“In overall terms, we are guardedly optimistic despite the difficulties of 2020,” Sonderegger notes. “We will undoubtedly need staying power. But we are confident that we can anticipate a return to double-digit growth in the medium term – and we expect that to come from China in particular.”
“In overall terms, we are guardedly optimistic despite the difficulties of 2020. Thanks to the strategic realignment that was launched in 2019 and has now been completed, we see ourselves as well positioned to penetrate new customer segments beyond the automotive sector and thus return to a growth trajectory. For the current financial year, we expect modest growth in the mid single-digit range,” CEO Rolf Sonderegger comments.
Media contact
Cara-Isabell Märcklin
External Communication
Tel.: +41 52 2241 292
Email: cara-isabell.maercklin@kistler.com
About the Kistler Group
Kistler is the global market leader for dynamic pressure, force, torque and acceleration measurement technology. Cutting-edge technologies provide the basis for Kistler’s modular solutions. Customers in industry and scientific research benefit from Kistler’s experience as a development partner, enabling them to optimize their products and processes so as to secure sustainable competitive edge. Unique sensor technology from this owner-managed Swiss corporation helps to shape future innovations not only in automotive development and industrial automation but also in many newly emerging sectors. Drawing on our extensive application expertise, and always with an absolute commitment to quality, Kistler plays a key part in the ongoing development of the latest megatrends. The focus is on issues such as electrified drive technology, autonomous driving, emission reduction and Industry 4.0. Some 2,050 employees at more than 60 facilities across the globe are dedicated to the development of new solutions, and they offer application-specific services at the local level. Ever since it was founded in 1959, the Kistler Group has grown hand-in-hand with its customers and in 2020, it posted sales of CHF 361 million. About 9% of this figure is reinvested in research and technology – with the aim of delivering better results for every customer.
