Gurit reports net sales of CHF 360.9 million in the first nine months of 2021

Gurit finished the third quarter with net sales impacted by a globally reduced demand for wind blades and by a decreasing demand and price of balsa, compared to a very strong previous year period. Both the Marine and Industrial markets as well as Aerospace have picked up double digit growth rates in the third quarter compared to prior year.

Composite Materials achieved net sales of CHF 169.2 million for the first nine months of 2021. This is a decrease of -20.0% at constant rates compared to the same period in 2020. The decrease is mainly due to lower Wind demand and globally reduced volumes and prices in balsa. Sales and profitability were also impacted by delays in the ramp-up of the new Mexican PET extrusion facility. The Marine and Industrial markets have performed strongly and saw double digit growth rates.

Kitting recorded net sales of CHF 138.0 million for the first nine months of 2021. This is a decrease of -21.2% at constant exchange rates compared to the same period in 2020. Kitting net sales were also negatively impacted by the slowdown in wind blade manufacturing as well as lower material pricing. The relocation of the Kitting operation from the U.S. to Mexico has been concluded during the third quarter.

The Business Unit Manufacturing Solutions (Tooling) reports net sales of CHF 64.0 million, which represents a decrease of -7.0% at constant exchange rates compared to the same period in 2020. As anticipated, the third quarter of 2021 shows a weakening of the tooling market in general and particularly in China.

Aerospace reports net sales of CHF 22.0 million for the first nine months of 2021. This represents a decrease of -10.6% at constant exchange rates compared to the same period in 2020. While the Business Unit faced a sharp decline compared to prior year’s pre-COVID-19 levels in the first quarter, sales have grown double digit in the last two quarters. Trends continue to head in a positive direction with global aircraft OEMs increasing build rates and consumer air travel growing as pandemic restrictions lift around the world.

Outlook

Driven by the uncertainty in regard to the implementation of subsidy schemes for new wind installations in the US and China and influenced by a continued strong increase of costs for raw materials, freight and transportation, Gurit now expects for the FY 2021 a revenue of around CHF 460 million and an operating profit margin of around 5%. Adjusted for one-time expenses related to restructuring and impairment charges operating profit is now expected to be in the range of 6-8%.

Gurit will issue a guidance for the Financial Year 2022 on March 1, 2022 together with its 2021 financial results.

Forward-looking statements:

To the extent that this announcement contains forward-looking statements, such statements are based on assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Forward-looking statements always involve uncertainties. Business and economic risks and developments, the conduct of competitors, political decisions and other factors may cause the actual results to be materially different from the assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Therefore, Gurit Holding AG does not assume any responsibility relating to forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.