威乐集团再次度过了一个美妙的财政年度。2018年的营业额连续第九次超过上一年的水平，并在货币调整后增长6.2％至14.6亿欧元。“面对所有地缘政治挑战，我们通过持续实施数字化转型，扩大我们的多边合作伙伴关系和网络，以及加强全球化战略，成功地实现既定目标”，WILO SE首席执行官Oliver Hermes表示。特别是在韩国，印度，近东和中东以及东欧 ，尤其是波兰，保持良好增长态势。Hermes先生总结道：“我们具有长远的战略，并且在经济方面处于有利地位，让我们有充分的理由对未来保持乐观”。由于对数字化转型的投资，原材料价格的大幅上涨以及与未来的重组相关的成本，营业利润（息税前利润）为9190万欧元，低于上一年度。

 

 

       威乐集团的投资保持在创纪录的水平：“在过去的一年里，我们投资了近1.55亿欧元，比去年的投资增加了24％，主要用于建设现代、高效的公司基础设施。”Hermes先生进一步解释道。“在过去的五年里，我们已投资超过5.6亿欧元。如此，我们为加速盈利性增长奠定了坚实的基础。“这项投资最明显的标志是多特蒙德公司总部的完全重建。该公司将于今年蜕变成智慧工厂，并将于2020年初在那里开始生产。同时，将于2020年1月搬迁至新的办公楼。威乐集团代表着面向未来的创新产品和系统解决方案。传统上，研究和开发在公司中非常重要。因此，在过去的财政年度，研发投入了6630万欧元，包括在产品层面实施数字化转型。“作为我们'Ambition 2025'企业战略的一部分，我们正在开展广泛的持续投资活动。威乐正在实现产品与解决方案，流程和商业模式三个方面的数字化转型。“Hermes先生解释说。

 

 

       许多公司目前面临巨大挑战。“像众多其他公司一样，威乐正在更广泛的地缘政治环境中运营和发展。Oliver Hermes警告说，全球经济自由秩序是全球运营的公司的支柱。“欧洲政治 - 尤其是欧洲经济 - 最重要的职责之一就是建立和推动一个维护和支持多边，全球世界秩序及其自由经济结构的联盟。”出于这个原因，威乐正在加强它在各大洲的联系。

 

WILO: RECORD REVENUE FOR THE NINTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

 

PUMP EXPERT AT ALL-TIME HIGH FOR REVENUE AND INVESTMENTS

 

Dortmund. The Wilo Group has once again completed a successful financial year. The turnover for 2018 exceeded that of the previous year for the ninth time in a row, and showed a strong 6.2 % increase to €1.46 billion after currency adjustment. “In the face of all geopolitical challenges, we have managed to remain on a growth course through consistent implementation of our digital transformation, the expansion of our multilateral partnerships and networks, and an intensified globalisation strategy”, explained Oliver Hermes, CEO of WILO SE. In particular, Wilo recorded excellent growth in Korea, India, and the Near and Middle East, as well as in Eastern Europe – especially Poland. “We are strategically set up for the long-term and are well-positioned in economic terms, giving us plenty of reasons to have an optimistic view of the future”, concluded Mr Hermes. The operating profit (EBIT) of €91.9 million remained below that of the previous year due to investment in the digital transformation, strongly-increased raw material prices, and costs related to future-proofing reorganisation measures.

 

Significant investments for strategic location development and digital transformation implementation

 

Wilo Group investments remained at a record level: “In the past year we invested nearly €155 million, primarily on building a modern, efficient company infrastructure, representing an increase of 24 % on last year’s investment”, explained Mr Hermes further. “We have invested more than €560 million over the past five years. In doing so, we have built a strong foundation for accelerated, profitable growth.” The most visible sign of this investment is the complete reconstruction of the company headquarters in Dortmund. The company will be moving into the Smart Factory this year, and will commence production there at the beginning of 2020. Relocation to the new office complex will follow in January 2020. The Wilo Group stands for future-oriented, innovative products and system solutions. Research and development have traditionally been of high importance in the company. For this reason, €66.3 million was invested in research and development in the past financial year, including in the implementation of the digital transformation at product level. “As part of our ‘Ambition 2025’ corporate strategy, we are carrying out extensive, ongoing investment activities. Wilo is realising its digital transformation across the three dimensions of Products & Solutions, Processes, and Business Models”, explained Mr Hermes.

 

A challenging geopolitical environment

 

Many companies are currently facing huge challenges. “Like many other companies, Wilo is operating and developing within a wider geopolitical context. The free worldwide economic order is the backbone of companies that operate on a global scale”, warned Oliver Hermes. “One of the most important duties of European politics –and especially of the European economy – at present is to establish and promote alliances that preserve and support the multilateral, global world order and its free economic structures.” For this reason, Wilo is intensifying its networking activities on all continents.