Sika with Higher EBIT Margin and Sales Growth in the First Nine Months of 2020

EXPANSION OF GROSS MARGIN, STRONG EBIT PERFORMANCE

In the first nine months of the year, Sika was able to increase its gross margin to 54.6% (previous year: 53.5%). Lower sales in the months of March, April, and May had a negative impact on profitability, however. Nevertheless, operating profit before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased, exhibiting a margin of 18.5% (previous year: 17.3%). The operating profit margin rose to 13.7% (previous year: 13.4%). Operating profit (EBIT) therefore amounted to CHF 797.4 million (previous year: CHF 805.9 million). The currency effect over the first nine months was negative at –6.0% and reduced EBIT by CHF 48 million. When viewed in isolation, an EBIT margin of 17.7% was achieved in the third quarter. 

FURTHER MARKET SHARE GAINS DESPITE NUMEROUS LOCKDOWNS

Sales in the first nine months of 2020 includes a strong acquisition effect of 9.2%. In a market suffering from the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, Sika was able to win further market share in all regions.

The EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa) reported a sales increase in local currency of 3.8% for the first nine months (previous year: 10.8%). This region has been recording a slight organic growth since June. The biggest recovery was staged by southern European countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, and France, as well as by the Middle East. In most of central western Europe – Germany, Austria, Switzerland – and in the countries of Eastern Europe and Scandinavia – business progressed in a more stable manner. Growth in the UK continues to be hampered by the pandemic. 

Growth in the Asia/Pacific region amounted to 13.9% (previous year: 31.1%). China performed particularly impressively, recording strong double-digit organic growth rates in recent months with most Target Markets expanding again. The former Parex business has been strikingly resilient to the crisis: it generated further growth in the various distribution channels. The project business in China is now also once again recording double-digit growth rates thanks to infrastructure orders. Furthermore, Australia and New Zealand have made positive contributions to regional business development. By contrast, countries such as Japan and India as well as the Southeast Asia region have been recovering only slowly from the declining business activities triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Global Business recorded a decline in sales of –16.1% (previous year: 3.6%) for the first nine months of the year. In the review period, the automotive sector reported a global decline in output of –23.2%. Although business volumes in the automotive area recovered noticeably in the third quarter, it will likely be a while before figures return to 2019 levels. Sika has been recording growth again in the Chinese car sector since May, and in September it was able to report sales growth in Europe and the USA.

The Americas region recorded sales growth in local currencies of 0.9% (previous year: 18.1%). Sika has enjoyed a modest uptrend in the Americas region despite the high COVID-19 infection rates recorded in Mexico, Brazil and the USA. Many of the major cities in North America remain affected by the pandemic. The situation in Latin America has improved slightly, with the southern part of the region returning to positive growth in September for the first time since February. In particular, countries such as Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay have contributed to the positive business development.

OUTLOOK FOR 2020

Despite the coronavirus crisis and its repercussions for business results, Sika is confirming its 2023 strategic targets. The company remains aligned for long-term success and profitable growth. With its focus on the six strategic pillars – market penetration, innovation, operational efficiency, acquisitions, strong corporate values, and sustainability – Sika is seeking to grow by 6%–8% a year in local currencies until 2023. From 2021, the company aims to increase its EBIT margin to 15%–18%. Projects in the areas of operations, logistics, procurement, and product formulation should result in an annual improvement in operating costs equivalent to 0.5% of sales.

Sika has been observing a modest upward trend in its construction markets since June, with sales returning to more normal levels. The momentum of global construction activity has picked up thanks to the gradual opening of building sites.

For fiscal 2020, Sika is expecting slightly lower sales in CHF but EBIT broadly in line with last year, implying an over-proportional rise in EBIT in the second half.

Sika’s forecasts assume that the markets will no longer be hit by the almost complete lockdowns that were imposed in March, April and May.