Bene, one of the leading companies in the European office furniture industry, achieved very pleasing results in the 2017 financial year, with an EBIT of EUR 7.3 million and an EBIT margin of 5.4%. The company’s equity ratio rose to 42.7% as at 31 December 2017, reflecting the robust capital structure these international office furniture experts have established. Bene expects this strong performance to be maintained in 2018.
In 2017 the Bene Group maintained the positive dynamic of the previous year, achieving significant improvements once again in both earnings and equity ratio. EBIT rose to EUR 7.3 million. (2016: EUR 5.0 million) and the EBIT margin rose to 5.4% (2016: 3.6%). “2017 was a good year for the Bene Group. Our determination to continuously optimise the business has borne fruit convincingly with these results,” said Jörg Schuschnig, Executive Board Member for Operations and Finance at Bene, expressing his satisfaction with the pleasing development in earnings, which he attributes particularly to productivity increases, improved synergies within the group and a reduction in fixed costs as a result of improved processes. With a strong equity ratio of 42.7% (31 December 2016: 33.2%) the capital structure of the Bene Group as of 31 December 2017 was clearly strengthened and robust.
Sales decline due to market conditions
Continuing difficulties in the UK, Russian and German markets, and the contrast with two exceptionally large projects completed in 2016 which could not be matched on the same scale in 2017, resulted in a slight decline in sales at group level. With a total of
EUR 135.1m (2016: EUR 151.3 million) Bene’s sales fell short of the target value. Bene achieved strong sales growth in the DACH region (Austria, Germany and Switzerland), with an increase of 10%.
Programme of investment under way
Following a year of major investments in 2016, the Bene Group continued this programme in the 2017 financial year, making investments both at its Waidhofen/Ybbs site as well as the company’s international presence. Investments in property, plant and equipment amounted to around EUR 4 million, the largest proportion of which, at EUR 3.3 million, was spent on plant modernisation, with the purchase of two new machines. Bene also made major investments in its showrooms in 2017. With newly designed showrooms in Austria, Germany and Dubai, as well as many other international locations, Bene now presents a consistently forward-looking company image worldwide, with showrooms that are modern, innovative and creative.
Innovation cycles shortened significantly
In its position as a leading international designer of modern working environments, Bene is dedicated to keeping ahead of the latest trends and developments. As office furniture specialists, they transform this knowledge into innovative concepts and products for the modern working environment. “Over the last two years we have been able to shorten our innovation cycles significantly, presenting new product lines several times a year. We plan to maintain this innovative lead in the future, continuing to bring exciting products to the market at frequent intervals”, declared Michael Fried, Executive Board Member for Sales, Marketing and Innovation at Bene, referring particularly to the company’s newest product releases, PIXEL and STUDIO. With PIXEL, Bene creates flexible, do-it-yourself spaces that go beyond rigid meeting-room culture, creating entirely new possibilities for collaborative work. STUDIO, on the other hand, is a modern, modular workplace system designed particularly to appeal to people whose professional and personal lives are closely linked. Although both these product lines are still relatively new to the market, they have already won several awards, reflecting Bene’s tremendous design strength.
Growth potential for Bene in Europe, the Middle East and Far East Asia
Bene is an international brand with representation in over 40 countries, and completed numerous high-profile international projects in the last year. In Germany, France and Switzerland, and especially in Austria, demand for Bene products and services remained consistently high throughout the business year. Increased sales in certain key regions and markets (DACH +10%, Middle East +40%, CEE +42%) enabled Bene to confirm its already strong position in impressive fashion once again.
In the 2018 business year, Bene will focus strategically on the markets of Austria, Germany, France, UK and Russia, as well as the Middle East and Far East Asia, developing these markets systematically. “Our 2017 performance has proved once more that we are one of the top European companies in this sector. However Bene is also in a very strong position in the Middle East and Far East Asia, and poised for further growth in this region,” says Fried, who sees great potential beyond Europe for products and services from the Bene think tank.
Outlook
“In the current business year we will continue to work towards strategic optimisation of all our processes. Investment for further growth is another priority, as well as a clear focus on our target markets and constant innovative development. The recently completed first quarter for 2018 has already shown steady business growth. We anticipate consistently good results for the entire business year”, concludes Schuschnig, confident that the year 2018 will be another successful one for Bene.