Bertrandt : remains on growth path

The Bertrandt Group's revenues rose in the first nine months of fiscal 2015/2016 to EUR 728 million (previous year EUR 678.5 million). This is equivalent to an increase of 7.3 percent. Operating profit remained stable at EUR 62.2 million (previous year EUR 62.1 million) while post-tax earnings were EUR 41.8 million (previous year EUR 41.9 million). The Company is pursuing its investment activities to meet current and future technological requirements successfully: The volume of investments climbed to EUR 63.1 million (previous year EUR 54.9 million). The number of employees in the first nine months of the current fiscal year went up by 610: as at the reporting date, the engineering specialist employed 12,669 engineers, technicians and commercial staff (previous year 12,059 employees).

New technologies offer opportunities for all-round engineering service providers
'Alternative drive technologies plus connected and automated driving are at the heart of current technological developments in the automotive industry,' explains CEO Dietmar Bichler. Industry players in Germany alone are investing more than EUR 30 billion a year on research and development in fields such as electromobility and digitization. Against the background of current discussion of emission value measurements and possible modifications in measurement techniques, the focus of attention is currently on electrified powertrains. 'Another challenging trend keeping us on our toes is Industry 4.0, particularly regarding the energy and medical technology industries as well as the electrical engineering, machinery and plant engineering sectors.' Bertrandt is also pursuing activities in the aviation sector, such as cabin development. We aim to take the Company forward and make the most of the opportunities in what is, all in all, a demanding market. This is also reflected in the capital which has already been invested in the infrastructure and technical equipment of our technology centres,' continues Bichler.

Satisfactory development in a demanding market setting
In this context Bertrandt was able to increase its revenues combined with stable results: Compared to the same period last year revenues rose by 7.3 percent to EUR 728 million (previous year EUR 678.5 million). Bertrandt generated operating profit during the period under review of EUR 62.2 million (previous year EUR 62.1 million) equal to a margin of 8.6 percent (previous year 9.2 percent). Post-tax earnings were maintained at the high level of EUR 41.8 million (previous year EUR 41.9 million). The Company maintained its investment activities at EUR 63.1 million (previous year EUR 54.9 million). This should reinforce the basis for sustainable growth and further strengthen the Company's market position as a partner for key technological industries. With an equity ratio of 47.1 percent (previous year 57.3 percent) Bertrandt is a fundamentally solid business which is using its financial strength to continue developing with technological trends.

Interesting jobs for specialists
The Bertrandt Group also expanded its workforce in the first nine months of fiscal 2015/2016. At the end of the third quarter the Company had 12,669 employees. This is an increase of 610 in the number of engineers, technicians and commercial staff since the same period last year (12,059 employees as at 30 June 2015). 'Technological diversity offers our highly-skilled employees interesting work and opportunities for development,' explains Dietmar Bichler. 'They also benefit from internal and external training measures.' A good example of the latter is the training Bertrandt's high-voltage specialists offer other professionals in the trend field of e-mobility. Increasing connectivity also calls for more IT specialists. 'Altogether we need employees who, despite already having a high level of knowledge, are keen to keep on acquiring new know-how and experience,' explains Bertrandt's CEO. The latest information on human resources management can be found in the 'Careers' section of Bertrandt's website at www.bertrandt.com.