Sanitary Equipment

Market trends

The Sanitary Equipment Division achieved a total revenue of CHF 143.8 million in the reporting year, which represents a decline in revenue of 0.7% compared with the previous year (CHF 144.8 million). However, when adjusted for currency effects, this resulted in revenue growth of 2.2%. This result was primarily sustained by successful business in Switzerland and a slightly positive development in Germany, which was based on the stable development of the construction industry and a steady high demand for customised shower solutions. The earnings situation also improved with an EBITDA without one-time effects of CHF 15.1 million (previous year CHF 12.5 million), which corresponds to an increase of 21.5%. EBIT without one-time effects of CHF 9.5 million is 16.1% above the previous year's level of CHF 8.2 million. EBITDA with one-time effects closed with CHF 14.7 million (previous year CHF 11.7 million). This corresponds to an increase of 25.3%. EBIT with one-time effects closed with CHF 9.0 million, 25.8% over the figure for the previous year of CHF 7.2 million.

The construction industry in the division's main markets, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, remains stable. However, the continuing insufficient capacities of skilled installers limit potential revenue for the division. The high price pressure and the buying power of wholesalers in the sector of sanitary and heating products still make the general conditions challenging. The division was able to achieve growth in export markets due to new product placements and additive marketing initiatives.

Successes in the project and key account business and a continued expansion of the service offering also had an impact on development. In addition, increase in productivity and the positive effects of the investments made in conjunction with strict cost discipline contributed to the improvement in earnings. Further optimisation of the overarching service processes in 2019 also led to improvements and, above all, to good conditions for 2020.

Products, technology and innovation

Major investments were initiated at the two production sites in 2019. In September, the ground-breaking ceremony was held by the company Bekon-Koralle in Dagmersellen (CH) for the construction of a new office building. An important part is the new, spacious and customer-friendly exhibition including training rooms on the ground floor. The production areas in Dagmersellen have also been optimised and the production facilities further modernised. At the Plattling site (D), further investments were made in the automation and process optimisation of production and additional customer-oriented training and exhibition space was created.

In the Service area Germany, the organisation was revised and processes optimised in order to be able to respond even faster and better to customer requirements in future. By reorganising the research and development (R&D) area, the forces were bundled and the prerequisites for further intensification of R&D activities were created. In addition, strategic purchasing partnerships were expanded, combined with a further professionalisation of data links with suppliers. Important progress was also made in the area of digitisation through new digital tools and data. Thanks to successful project work, an order tracking system went live at the end of the year.

The highlight of the reporting year was the ISH 2019 in Frankfurt (D), where Kermi and Koralle presented numerous product innovations to an international audience. Koralle presented itself in an elegant black and white look with the claim ”Something special every day“. Kermi Duschdesign invited visitors to experience the motto “UNLIMITED // GRENZENLOS” at its stand. Kermi Duschdesign and Koralle then presented the ISH innovations at the numerous in-house exhibitions of the wholesale trade.

Kermi Duschdesign presented new functional variants of the “LIGA” series at the ISH. The project partnership Pflegebad 2030 (Care bathroom 2030) of the VDS / ZVSHK (Association of the German Sanitary Industry / Central Federation for Sanitation, Heating and Climate Control) led to an intensive discussion of the narrowest bathrooms and the development of a universal pendulum-folding U-shape in the “LIGA” series. This is suitable for all narrow bathroom situations up to care homes. The “LIGA” swinging doors and the “LIGA” sliding doors have been extended by new variants. To follow the “black” trend in the bathroom, Kermi has developed the new “Dark Edition”. This comprises five programmes, whose standard items appear in a new, elegant black soft-look.

Koralle successfully launched the two new volume series “TwiggyPlus” and “SL410” at the ISH. The months following the ISH were marked by the market launch and the stocking of the German wholesale trade.

Future-oriented innovations have also been established in the Bekon-Koralle product range. These include the ”X88 Free GT“, which, like the “X88 Free” series, is free-standing and completely without mechanical mounting. Likewise the series “S707/S700Plus”: A central role is played by the various possibilities of fixings. A suitable product variant can thus be found and implemented for every room situation. The “S606Plus room-high” represents a convincing system solution for today's bathroom architecture. Extending over the entire height of the room, frameless and with gently closing sliding doors, it allows room sections to be separated.

Kermi and Koralle received positive feedback from the multiple awards of renowned design prizes.

Sustainability

The Sanitary Equipment Division also addressed the issue of environmental and climate protection in the 2019 reporting year. The division has introduced a number of new measures aimed at making a long-term contribution to greater sustainability within the company. The new Bekon-Koralle building was designed with the latest environmental considerations in mind. A heat pump will be installed for heating in winter and cooling on hot days. In addition, a photovoltaic system will be installed on the roof and the most modern and energy-saving products of the Arbonia Group will be used for all the equipment.

The division worked on a new concept for film-free packaging during the reporting year. This will be applied to large parts of the product range in future. The progressive use of digital media will also greatly reduce paper consumption for printed documents.