For the first half of 2021, the HOMAG Group has reported a new record level of orders, which is substantially above the previous peak figure. This positive development is partly attributable to the new Solid Wood Processing business unit, through which HOMAG is strongly pushing ahead with its solid wood activities for timber frame house construction.
Compared to the first half year of 2020, which was marked by the effects of the pandemic, order intake at the HOMAG Group was up substantially by 80%, increasing to € 887 million (previous year: € 493 million). The company thus exceeded its previous record level of € 734 million, achieved in 2017, by around 20%. Sales increased by 19% to € 657 million (previous year: € 552 million), while orders on hand also reached an all-time high of € 844 million on 30 June 2021 (30 June 2020: € 480 million). The HOMAG Group improved its operating EBIT to € 39.6 million (previous year: € 10.7 million).
“We are at the beginning of a new investment cycle. Plus, our customers around the world are benefiting from the fact that people are increasingly investing in their living spaces,” highlighted CEO Ralf W. Dieter. “This, in turn, leads to dynamic demand for efficient machines, like the ones used for producing kitchens and furniture – and these innovative solutions are what we are offering our customers.” The stand-alone machine business, along with the service business, saw a particularly positive development at the HOMAG Group in the first six months of 2021. But the company’s systems business involving large systems is also on the road to recovery, part of which almost came to a standstill in the same period of the previous year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are particularly pleased that our investments in the new solid wood segment are already paying off,” explained Dr. Daniel Schmitt, responsible for this area on the Board of Management. “We are observing a rise in demand for sustainable and climate-friendly timber houses, which is working in our favour.”
“We are also benefiting from the partnership with our customers, which is based on trust and which we continued to nurture throughout the pandemic,” said Dieter. “We have thus made every effort to maintain the best possible contact with our customers, despite the more challenging conditions. Our numerous online formats have been very well received. Most recently, in May and June, we reached participants from over 90 countries with our ‘Live.HOMAG’ online event. They could choose from over 500 sessions, where we presented holistic workshop concepts, machines, software and digital assistants.”
As at 30 June 2021, the HOMAG Group had 7,113 employees (30 June 2020: 6,498). Around 620 employees joined through the acquisition of the companies HOMAG China Golden Field, and System TM and Kallesoe in Denmark.
