Uzin Utz SE publishes quarterly figures for the third quarter: Decline in sales with positive earnings development

• Group sales revenue of EUR 360.2 million just below the previous year (EUR 365.1 million)

• Consolidated net profit amounts to EUR 29.5 million with an EBIT margin of 8.2% 

Ulm, November 14, 2024 - Uzin Utz was able to generate sales revenues of EUR 360.2 million in the third quarter despite the challenging market environment. This fell slightly short of the previous year's sales level (EUR 365.1 million). Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), on the other hand, developed positively and amounted to EUR 29.5 million, up 10.2% on the previous year.

Despite a decline in sales, the full-range supplier of flooring systems delivered a solid performance, which is attributable to targeted measures to increase efficiency and reduce costs. "We are pleased to report a positive earnings performance in the third quarter, especially in view of the challenges in the market environment. Thanks to selected strategic measures, we have succeeded in reducing the material usage ratio. In addition to improvements in the procurement of raw materials, the optimization of our logistics processes across the Group has also led to a reduction in incoming freight costs. We will continue to systematically pursue these initiatives in the coming quarters," explains Christian Richter, member of the Executive Board.

Group key figures for the third quarter of 2024 in detail

At the end of September, Uzin Utz generated sales revenues of EUR 360.2 million, only 1.3% below the sales revenues of the same period last year (EUR 365.1 million). EBIT amounted to EUR 29.5 million with an EBIT margin of 8.2% (2023: 7.3%). Compared to the previous year, EBIT increased by 10.2%. The increase in earnings was largely due to consistent optimization measures and an easing of the situation on the procurement market. As reported, an improvement in freight costs was already achieved in the first half of the year, which made a positive contribution to the development of material costs, among other things. In combination with an optimization of inventories, which had been built up in previous years due to difficult delivery conditions and occasional raw material shortages, the material usage ratio was reduced by 3.4 percentage points compared to the previous year. An average of 1,482 employees (excluding trainees) were employed in the third quarter. Here, the level of the same period in the previous year was maintained.

Outlook for the coming quarter: caution is advised

Despite the pleasing earnings development, Uzin Utz is looking to the coming months with caution. "We continue to face significant challenges. Political decisions at national and international level have a considerable influence on the cost structure. Regulations in the area of environmental protection and safety standards require additional investments in technologies, processes and personnel so that we can meet the legal requirements," says Philipp Utz, member of the Management Board. The EU taxonomy classification system provides the soil specialist with a clear framework for determining which activities are considered environmentally sustainable and must be implemented. "The cost increases resulting from these requirements have an enormous impact on our business development, so we have to keep an eye on them," continues Philipp Utz.

Outlook | Hope for recovery in the construction industry

"Despite all the challenges, we are confident about 2025, supported by the expectation that demand in the construction industry will continue to pick up. The key interest rate cuts that have already taken place and are still planned provide a robust foundation for this positive development. Such measures ease financing conditions and provide important impetus for investments in the construction industry," says Julian Utz, member of the Executive Board. At the same time, inflation rates in the Group's core and growth markets are easing.

Contact:

Tanja Peter
Head of Communications
tanja.peter@uzin-utz.com
T  +49 731 4097-4729

Sandra Ruf
Head of Investor Relations
sandra.ruf@uzin-utz.com
T  +49 731 4097-416