In 2022 Gurit net sales were impacted by a reduced demand of Western wind customers, mainly driven by lower US market momentum, slow permitting and delayed wind park projects as well as Western wind turbine manufacturers consolidating their activities and exiting certain regions. The Chinese domestic wind market saw strong growth in sales in 2022 with Gurit being among the top 3 suppliers for both PET and rotor blade moulds. Marine and Industrial sales continued the strong performance during 2022, growing more than 20% at constant exchange rates.

Composite Materials reported net sales of CHF 325.5 million for 2022. This increase of 52.9% at constant rates compared to 2021 contains a contribution of CHF 102.0 million from Structural Profiles (Fiberline Composites), where Gurit acquired a 60% majority stake in May 2022. Wind sales have been influenced by a stronger Wind market in China but a reduced demand from the rest of the world. The Gurit Marine and Industrial sales have performed strongly with more than 20% growth.

Kitting recorded net sales of CHF 148.6 million for 2022. This is a decrease of -14.0% at constant exchange rates compared to 2021.  Kitting caters exclusively to the Wind market and saw a generally lower demand from Western customers outside China. The optimization of the European Kitting footprint was finished according to plan and will provide positive momentum on the business performance in 2023.

The Business Unit Manufacturing Solutions (Tooling) reported net sales of CHF 57.5 million, which represents a decrease of -21.5% at constant exchange rates compared to 2021. Manufacturing solutions net sales result was very low due to Western customers having had almost no mould demand in 2022. In contrast, the mould business in the Chinese domestic market saw good sales, however with very competitive pricing. We expect the mould business with Western wind customers to recover markedly in 2023.

Profitability
For the calendar year 2022, Gurit expects an operating profit margin of above 4%. Excluding divestment effects, restructuring and impairment charges, the adjusted operating profit margin is expected to be above 2%. This compares to an operating profit margin of 5.0% and an adjusted operating profit margin of 7.0% in the calendar year 2021.

Online publication of Annual Report 2022, Media and Analyst webcast on March 2, 2023
Gurit will report its 2022 full year results on March 2, 2023 and provide its financial guidance for 2023, by issuing a media release at 07:00 a.m. CET and publishing its Annual Report 2022 online at www.gurit.com/Investors/Reports. Management will also discuss the results at a joint media and analyst webcast on March 2, 2023, at 09:00 a.m. CET.  If you wish to join the Q&A please sign up for the conference by sending your contact details to investor@gurit.com. The presentations will be held in English and will be accessible as a public webcast at www.gurit.com/Investors/Webcasts. Under the same URL an on-demand version will be available after the live webcast. 

Roadshow
In the afternoon of March 2, 2023 Gurit CEO Mitja Schulz and CFO Philippe Wirth will be available to meet investors at a roadshow at the premises of Zürcher Kantonalbank in Zurich. For more information: https://broker.zkb.ch/en/corporate-access/calendar 

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Forward-looking statements: 
To the extent that this announcement contains forward-looking statements, such statements are based on assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Forward-looking statements always involve uncertainties. Business and economic risks and developments, the conduct of competitors, political decisions and other factors may cause the actual results to be materially different from the assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Therefore, Gurit Holding AG does not assume any responsibility relating to forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.