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DGAP-News: GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft
/ Key word(s): Strategic Company Decision
Mission 26: GEA presents growth strategy for the next five years - Organic sales to grow by an average of 4.0 to 6.0 percent annually through 2026 - Record EBITDA margin before restructuring charges of more than 15 percent expected by 2026 - Tapping new opportunities in the dynamic New Food market and the service business to drive profitable growth - Company commits to ambitious climate and sustainability targets London, September 29, 2021 - GEA Group presents today its "Mission 26" strategy in London as part of its Capital Markets Day. The plan for the next five years defines seven key levers to accelerate sustainable, profitable growth. The focus is on sustainability, innovation and digital solutions, New Food, as well as excellence initiatives in sales, service and operations. The company is also looking at targeted acquisitions. "We have set ourselves the goal of being at the forefront of the mechanical and plant engineering industry," says Stefan Klebert, CEO GEA. "We take it upon ourselves to protect future generations by offering sustainable solutions for the food and pharmaceutical industries. In these attractive markets, we want to continue to grow profitably while contributing to a better world, as anchored in our purpose - engineering for a better world." Ambitious financial targets set for 2026 In the context of further targets, a stable ratio of net working capital to sales of 8.0 to 10.0 percent is expected by 2026. Capital expenditure (CAPEX) is projected to be around EUR 200 million annually until 2026. Overall, this leads to strong free cash flow generation of around EUR 2 billion from 2022 until 2026. "We are creating significant value for our shareholders through 2026 and beyond," says Marcus Ketter, CFO. "Our shareholders will participate in this success with sustainable dividend increases." Holistic climate and sustainability approach "Sustainability is firmly anchored in the company's DNA and is therefore also an essential part of Mission 26," says Klebert. "With our ambitious approach, we help our customers achieve their own environmental goals. Likewise, we strive for the highest standards in our operations and support our employees in developing their skills. In this way, we live up to our social responsibility and ensure GEA's lasting success." GEA drives product innovation with R&D and digitalization In addition to introducing new products, GEA will offer customers more digital solutions to further enhance their processes and GEA machine efficiency. To drive the digital customer journey and the development of digital solutions forward, these competencies haven been combined under the newly created position of Chief Digital Officer (CDO), effective August 1, 2021. Growth market New Food: GEA with unique position GEA has already demonstrated its strength in this dynamic market by winning one of the largest orders in the company's history: Novozymes, the world's largest supplier of enzyme and microbial technologies in Denmark, is entrusting GEA with the turnkey fitting of a large-scale plant in the U.S. to produce plant-based proteins. Further growth potential was also identified in the service area, which is a resilient and profitable business for GEA. The aim is to increase coverage and expand the service business with customers by 2026, thereby boosting recurring revenue. This approach is expected to generate annual organic revenue growth of 5.0 to 6.0 percent in the service business until 2026. The optimization measures announced at the 2019 Capital Markets Day impacting purchasing, production and logistics will be continued. In the process, purchasing activities were bundled in a central purchasing organization, the production network was improved, and greater flexibility was created at sites. The aim is to enable a transition to best-in-class procurement by 2026, further optimize the production network and reduce delivery times to customers. "Global Operations is undergoing a comprehensive and long-term transformation process," explains Johannes Giloth, COO GEA: "In addition to cost reductions, this also involves creating structures for further growth. In this way, Global Operations will continue to have a significant positive impact on profitability in the future." Between 2022 and 2026, further optimizations in purchasing (EUR 90 million) and production (EUR 60 million) are expected to have a total net impact on EBITDA of EUR 150 million. GEA examines possible acquisitions At the Capital Markets Day in September 2019, GEA communicated its targets up to 2022. In March 2021, when the annual figures for 2020 were presented, GEA adjusted its medium-term financial targets for 2022 upwards. GEA has confirmed these again. Group revenue is expected to grow by an average of 2.0 to 3.0 percent annually from 2019 until 2022, the EBITDA margin before restructuring expenses is to increase to a target corridor of 12.5 to 13.5 percent (Capital Markets Day 2019: 11.5 to 13.5 percent) and the ratio of net working capital to revenue is to be reduced to the range between 8.0 and 10.0 percent (Capital Markets Day 2019: 12.0 to 14.0 percent). Media Relations: About GEA GEA is listed in the German MDAX and the STOXX(R) Europe 600 Index and is also one of the companies that make up the sustainability indices DAX 50 ESG and MSCI Global Sustainability. Here you can register for the virtual press conference at 10 am CET (9am GMT) on September 29: For more information, visit gea.com. Contact: GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft Phone +49 (0)211 9136 1081 Fax +49 (0)211 9136 31087 gea.com
29.09.2021 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. |
| Language: | English |
| Company: | GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft |
| Peter-Müller-Straße 12 | |
| 40468 Düsseldorf | |
| Germany | |
| Phone: | +49 (0)211 9136-0 |
| Fax: | +49 (0)211 9136-31087 |
| E-mail: | |
| Internet: | |
| ISIN: | DE0006602006 |
| WKN: | 660200 |
| Indices: | MDAX |
| Listed: | Regulated Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Hamburg, Munich; Regulated Unofficial Market in Hanover, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange |
| EQS News ID: | 1236608 |
| End of News | DGAP News Service |
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1236608 29.09.2021
