Bobst has got off to a good start in 2021 with a strong order intake since December 2020. This was mainly due to unprecedented stimulus packages, the catch-up effects in packaging equipment following the turbulent year 2020 and the step-by-step progress in vaccination.
Bobst Group expects to achieve sales in the first half of the year 2021 of around CHF 650m compared to CHF 524m in the first half year 2020, which was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 lockdowns. The Group expects to reach a positive operating result (EBIT) and to break-even at net result for the first six months of the year 2021 compared to CHF -25m operating result (EBIT) and CHF -30m net result in the first six months of 2020. The main reasons for the significant improvement in both operating result (EBIT) and net result are higher sales as well as the positive impact of Group transformation measures launched in 2020.
Bobst Group is confident to exceed its previous guidance for the current year despite the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the significant increase in raw material and logistics costs, which will have a negative impact on the margin. For the full year 2021, the Group expects sales of CHF 1.5 to 1.6 bn (2020 CHF 1.372 bn). The new guidance for the 2021 full year operating result (EBIT) margin, which was slightly higher than previous year (2020 3.2%), is now in a range of 5% to 6%.
