Plastifa | Um caminho de crescimento e inovação

A Plastifa teve um início modesto, com apenas duas pessoas e duas máquinas de injeção, mas a qualidade dos produtos e a visão de futuro de Manuel Carvalho, diretor-geral, elevou o nome da empresa nos mercados nacionais e internacionais. Conheça a Plastifa através das palavras de Manuel Carvalho.

in Vida Económica / Winsig, 01-03-2024


Quais foram os objetivos que o levaram a constituir a Plastifa?

A Plastifa surgiu de um investimento pessoal para servir o mercado das peças para brinquedos e componentes elétricos. Passados alguns anos, e depois de ganhar alguma dimensão e nome no mercado, conseguimos obter a certificação de Qualidade ISO 9001que nos abriu portas para trabalhar outras áreas de negócio, nomeadamente, o setor automóvel.

Até que ponto a certificação de qualidade acelerou os negócios?

A certificação de qualidade permitiu-nos começar a trabalhar para o setor automóvel e pouco tempo depois começámos a sentir a necessidade de adquirir mais máquinas e de contratar mais trabalhadores. Fruto destas necessidades surge a Unidade I, que ainda hoje se mantém como a área principal de fabricação da Plastifa e, passados alguns anos, surge a Unidade II.

A Plastifa já foi reconhecida com vários prémios a nível nacional. Considera que é um reflexo do crescimento sustentado que vos tem pautado?

Sim. Foi nosso objetivo, desde sempre, criar uma empresa com boa solidez económica e financeira. Nesse sentido, fomos crescendo de forma sustentada e demos sempre passos sólidos quer a nível financeiro, de expansão de estruturas e de contratação de pessoal. Em 2011 começámos por receber o Estatuto de PME Líder e mantemos, desde 2014, consecutivamente, o Estatuto de PME Excelência. Em 2018 obtivemos a Certificação Top 5% e mantemos esse reconhecimento pelo 4.º ano consecutivo.

Trabalham mais para o mercado nacional ou para o internacional?

Trabalhamos para o mercado global. Os nossos principais clientes são empresas multinacionais que, na sua maioria, têm fábricas em solo nacional. Em termos percentuais, 88% da nossa produção concerne à exportação direta, ou seja, entregamos diretamente nas fábricas multinacionais em Portugal do setor automóvel que, por sua vez, exportam para outros países. Os restantes 12% são para exportação direta.

Dispõem de um departamento de investigação e desenvolvimento?

Temos o departamento de projeto que é responsável por apresentar novidades, nomeadamente quanto à sustentabilidade dos materiais. A questão das matérias plásticas é muito relevante para nós, pese embora, que as peças que produzimos são de uso prolongado. O grande problema dos plásticos é a utilização única, o que não é o nosso caso. Os produtos que fabricamos são duráveis, de utilização prolongada, têm uma vida útil de 200 anos e são todos recicláveis. Quando trocamos de automóvel, estas peças são recicladas e é dada uma nova utilização; todas estão marcadas com o tipo de polímero em que é fabricado e, no fim da sua utilização, se forem desmontados são todos recicláveis. Existe, mais recentemente, outra corrente que estamos a investigar que concerne aos plásticos Bio. São plásticos que têm origem bio na sua formulação (componentes de origem biológica) ou têm um fim de vida que pode ser biodegradável. São materiais novos que estão a ser desenvolvidos e nós estamos a testar a sua aplicação na indústria automóvel. Antes de os introduzir no mercado temos de fazer inúmeros testes de vida e resistência, bem como a fabricação de protótipos e de amostras. Fazemos praticamente todo o processo internamente e contamos com laboratórios como o PIEP – Pólo de Inovação em Engenharia de Polímeros a quem recorremos para fazer testes que não podemos fazer internamente.

O software de gestão que utilizam é um elemento preponderante no sucesso da gestão da Plastifa?

A parceria que temos com a Winsig, o nosso parceiro de implementação do PHC, tem sido fundamental para o nosso desenvolvimento. Começámos a utilizar o PHC em 2012, com uma gama básica e passados sete anos, já estávamos a utilizar a gama premium, isto porque o PHC é um software que permite uma customização avançada e é possível fazer programação para se adaptar às necessidades e crescimento da Plastifa. O início pautou-se por projetos pontuais como a otimização do armazém. De seguida, apostámos em projetos mais avançados como a digitalização da fábrica e, atualmente, temos toda a empresa a trabalhar em suporte digital, simplesmente não utilizamos papel. A Winsig desenvolveu uma aplicação de shop floor, integrada no nosso PHC, que regista todos as informações das peças que produzimos como a qualidade, custos, stock, produção, materiais, entre outros detalhes relevantes. Os funcionários utilizam tablets para efetuarem estes registos que, por sua vez, registam a informação no PHC.

A nível de gestão, como descreve a utilidade da integração destes dados no PHC?

É fantástica. Quando precisamos de tomar ações podemos fazê-lo online num tablet ou num telemóvel porque a informação está disponível online e consultável em qualquer lugar e em tempo real. Consigo ter acesso a informações vitais como a avaria de uma máquina, se alguma peça saiu com defeito e agir em conformidade.

Construíram, em 2015, um Edifício Social para os vossos trabalhadores. Em que consiste e quais os efeitos desta iniciativa?

A motivação e a satisfação dos colaboradores são aspetos que nos fazem criar mais e melhores condições de trabalho para que estes se sintam satisfeitos por trabalharem na Plastifa. Poder tomar um banho depois do trabalho, ter uma sala com todas as condições para poderem usufruírem das suas refeições são aspetos relevantes para complementar as boas condições de trabalho que oferecemos. Este edifício também dispõe de salas de formação devidamente equipadas para podermos manter os nossos funcionários sempre atualizados. A nossa cultura empresarial prende-se em atuarmos em várias frentes para contribuir para a motivação dos colaboradores e o resultado deste posicionamento é que temos uma equipa estável e nos vários períodos em que houve escassez de mão de obra, nós não sentimos essa dificuldade, conseguimos sempre contratar os perfis que procuramos. Este é o reflexo da nossa cultura empresarial, as pessoas que conhecem os nossos trabalhadores sabem quais são as condições que oferecemos aos nossos funcionários e muitos almejam vir trabalhar connosco para poderem usufruir dessas regalias.

A responsabilidade social da Plastifa também se estende para a freguesia?

Sim. Ajudamos sempre que possível as atividades realizadas na localidade, como ajuda para a festa do padroeiro da freguesia, para as obras da Igreja, e o Centro Social; mas o maior reflexo do nosso apoio prende-se com a empregabilidade que ascende aos 87 trabalhadores – de dentro e fora da freguesia – a quem asseguramos um posto de trabalho.

A Plastifa está num ponto em que atingiu a estabilidade, mas certamente tem objetivos para os próximos anos. Quer partilhar alguns?

Temos planos para conquistar, a médio prazo, outros mercados que não o automóvel, mas pretendemos manter sempre o automóvel como um mercado estratégico para nós. Estamos a pensar, mais concretamente, no mercado da saúde. Este é um mercado que se encontra em crescimento, por um lado, devido ao envelhecimento da população mundial e, por outro, devido às novas tecnologias e inovações que estão a surgir neste setor e que vai necessitar de quem dê resposta à fabricação de dispositivos e acessórios de plástico. É um mercado com grande potencial, muito técnico e exigente que não está aberto a qualquer empresa. Vamos começar pela Alemanha, país no qual já realizámos uma feira da saúde e verificámos que existe um mercado a quem podemos dar resposta com os dispositivos médicos. Já temos um comercial a fazer angariação de clientes para esta área e acreditamos ter novidades a médio prazo. A utilização da Inteligência Artificial nas nossas unidades de produção será uma realidade num futuro próximo, uma vez que pode facilmente fazer as tarefas repetitivas e monótonas e o colaborador pode aplicar as suas capacidades em tarefas de maior complexidade.

 

Manuel Carvalho, Diretor-geral

 

 

https://plastifa.pt/

 

 

 

Production launch of the MINI Countryman Electric at BMW Group Plant Leipzig

  • Higher volumes and a growing team
  • New night shift in assembly
  • High-voltage batteries produced in-house

in BMW Group, 01-03-2024


Electrification continues at BMW Group Plant Leipzig: Four months after launching production of the combustion-engined MINI Countryman, the all-electric version is now rolling off the lines at Leipzig as well. After phasing out production of the BMW i3, the birthplace of electric mobility at the BMW Group has welcomed another fully electric car to its range. It now manufactures four models with three drive types by two brands, all on a single production line: the BMW 1 Series, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (including the plug-in hybrid version), the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and the MINI Countryman in both its fully electric and combustion-powered versions.

The MINI Countryman Electric represents a major step in the MINI brand’s transition to full electrification by 2030 and combines an electrified go-kart feel with zero local emissions mobility. It comes in two fully electric variants: the Countryman E (150 kW, 204 hp | electricity consumption 17.4 – 15.7 kWh/100 km | CO2 emissions 0 g/km) and the more powerful all-wheel Countryman SE ALL4 (230 kW, 313 hp | electricity consumption 18.5 – 16.8 kWh/100 km | CO2 emissions 0 g/km).

Consistent plant upgrades and flexible production system

To enable production of up to 350,000 units a year – 100,000 more than previously – Plant Leipzig has been continuously upgraded since 2018, with extensive additions and upgrades to the bodyshop, paintshop, assembly and logistics. “Our cars and components are very much in demand. In recent years the BMW Group has invested around 1.6 billion euros in the Leipzig site to produce additional vehicles and electric components, and now we’re increasing vehicle volumes too – which is great news for our plant,” said Petra Peterhänsel, Plant Director.

The main driver behind the volume increase is the MINI Countryman. During the course of 2024, output will rise to almost 500 units a day – on top of the 800 or so BMW vehicles the plant is producing. What’s more, thanks to its flexible production system, Plant Leipzig is in a position to respond quickly to customer demand, for example by increasing the share of fully electric vehicles.

Flexible assembly structures also meant the MINI Countryman Electric could be integrated seamlessly into production. The situation is similar with the different drive units, which are all produced on one and the same line in aggregate assembly and prepared for what’s known as “marriage” with the body. The e-drives, transmissions and control electronics (collectively known as the highly integrated electric drive topology, or HEAT) for the two all-electric models are connected directly in the plant. A new production line was required only for the control electronics.

More staff and nightshifts for increased production volume

Higher production volume means secure employment and up to 900 additional employees in vehicle production alone. By the end of 2024, Plant Leipzig will employ around 7,000 BMW staff. Working hours will need to be adjusted in all technologies, with nightshifts in assembly starting for the first time in September of this year and cars being produced round the clock in three shifts.

“Plant Leipzig first went on stream in 2005 with about 2,600 employees in production. 19 years later there are over 7,000. Over the years, the plant has grown steadily and considerably. The start of nightshifts in assembly represents another important milestone in the success story of our plant and is a clear show of confidence by our company in our site here in Leipzig,” emphasised Works Council Chairman Jens Köhler.

Made at Plant Leipzig: high-voltage batteries for the MINI Countryman Electric

With the production launch of the MINI Countryman Electric, all three stages of the Gen 5 high-voltage battery production process are now represented at BMW Group Plant Leipzig: cell coating, module production and battery assembly. Operations in all three are currently ramping up, with five cell-coating, three module-production and two high-voltage battery-production lines now in place.

“We are in the middle of the transformation to e-mobility,” said Markus Fallböhmer, Head of Battery Production at the BMW Group. “Starting this year, Plant Leipzig will carry out every stage of our in-house high-voltage battery production process. It’s our next great step forwards.”

Plant Leipzig’s e-component production capacity has been increasing since 2021. It will now manufacture not just the high-voltage batteries for the MINI Countryman Electric but also e-components for the BMW iX1, BMW iX2, BMW i4, BMW i5 and BMW iX made at other sites. The e-component production unit at Leipzig currently employs some 1,000 people.

To enable production of high-voltage batteries, spaces previously used for the BMW i3 and BMW i8 have been converted and new buildings added. One of them is a new hall with a footprint of about 61,000 m2. This houses two lines capable of producing up to 300,000 high-voltage batteries a year. The BMW Group has invested over 900 million euros in e-component production at Plant Leipzig to date.

Resource-saving painting processes

At launch, the fully electric MINI Countryman comes in three additional body colours: British Racing Green, Chili Red and Blazing Blue – and with MINI’s trademark contrast roof, if desired. This is painted using a new overspray-free method that saves resources and is currently being readied for series operation. The term “overspray” refers to the mist of excess paint particles that forms when bodies are painted the conventional way. With the new technique, this mist no longer occurs. This makes it easier to paint in multiple colours as the laborious process of masking is no longer required. Overspray-free painting also helps save CO2 emissions, as exhaust from the cabin requires less cleansing. In addition, it requires considerably less conditioned air, i.e. air that is brought to the exact temperature and humidity required for painting. As a result, less energy is needed to temper air and treat exhaust.

The burner technology used to dry the paint on contrast roofs was also converted for the start of MINI Countryman production and now consists of a bivalent system. The fuel-flexible burners can run on hydrogen (H2) as well as gas (methane, CH4) and even switch between the two while in operation. Five such bivalent hydrogen-capable burners are used to produce the contrast roofs for the MINI Countryman.

Further burners in the paintshop will also gradually switch to bivalent operations, with the next six hydrogen-capable burners just installed. This makes Leipzig a pioneer in the automotive industry and takes it ever closer to lower CO2 emissions. “Our vision at Plant Leipzig is to decarbonise production as far as possible by replacing fossil fuels with green hydrogen,” said Petra Peterhänsel, explaining the long-term focus of the facility. This will require sufficient green hydrogen from a grid. A regional hydrogen grid is currently in planning, with Plant Leipzig set to benefit.

 

CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION.

  • MINI Countryman E
    • Electricity consumption combined: 17,4 – 15,7 kWh/100 km according to WLTP
    • CO2 emissions combined according to WLTP: 0 g/km
    • CO2 Class: A
    • Electric range according to WLTP: 462 – 423 km
  • MINI Countryman SE ALL4
    • Electricity consumption combined: 18,5 – 16,8 kWh/100 km according to WLTP
    • CO2 emissions combined according to WLTP: 0 g/km
    • CO2 Class: A
    • Electric range according to WLTP: 432 – 399 km

 

 

Volkswagen Group achieves robust annual results for 2023, with a strong fourth quarter

  • Sales revenue up 15 percent year-on-year to EUR 322.3 billion, driven by increase in deliveries in Europe and North America
  • Order bank in Western Europe normalizes further at the beginning of the year to 1.1 million vehicles
  • Deliveries of battery-electric vehicles (BEV) up by 35 percent to 771,000 units in 2023; share of Group deliveries increased continuously throughout the year and reached 8,3 percent in 2023
  • Operating profit before special items of EUR 22.6 billion remains at previous year’s level; positive volume, price and mix effects largely offset higher product costs and negative valuation effects of EUR 3.2 billion
  • Operating profit margin slightly down compared to the previous year at 7 percent
  • Net cash flow in the Automotive Division more than doubled to EUR 10.7 billion, supported by a sharp reduction in inventories at the end of the year
  • Automotive Division’s net liquidity remained at a robust level of EUR 40.3 (43.0) billion at the end of the year, after dividend payments of around EUR 11 billion
  • Oliver Blume, CEO Volkswagen Group, said: “2023 was an important year for the Volkswagen Group in terms of our realignment. Last year, we continued to implement our 10-point program and the performance programs. The clean-up work has been completed. The main course has been set for the restructuring of the Volkswagen Group. We can build on this in 2024 and have a solid basis for an accelerated ramp-up from 2025.”
  • Arno Antlitz, CFO & COO of Volkswagen Group, said: “The results for the financial year 2023 show that we have become even more robust. We have excellent products and have launched ambitious Group-wide efficiency programs. Therefore, we are confident about 2024, despite the muted economic outlook and intense competition.”
  • Board of Management and Supervisory Board propose dividend of EUR 9.00 per ordinary share and EUR 9.06 per preferred share; payout ratio at 28 percent
  • Group Outlook for 2024: Sales revenue expected to grow by up to 5 percent, supported by positive effects, in particular from the market launch of new products; operating return on sales expected to range between 7.0 and 7.5 percent; automotive net cash flow between EUR 4.5 and 6.5 billion and net liquidity between EUR 39 and 41 billion expected

in Volkswagen Group, 01-03-2024


Volkswagen Group achieved robust financial results in 2023. This was driven by a strong fourth quarter, with sales revenue of EUR 87 billion and an increase in operating profit of more then a quarter compared to the previous year. During the year, the Group made further progress with the implementation of its strategy and systematically pushed ahead with its restructuring. The focus was on customer-oriented products and compelling design, in addition to the strengthening of the regions, particularly China and North America. By introducing performance programs in all divisions, the Group has made notable strides towards a sustainable increase in profitability.

The Group’s sales revenue grew by 15 percent to EUR 322.3 billion in 2023, driven by an increase in deliveries, an improved product mix and positive price effects. Deliveries of battery electric vehicles (BEV) increased by 35 percent to 771,000 units, driven by growth in all regions. The share of BEVs rose continuously over the course of the year, reaching 8,3 percent for 2023, compared to 6,9 percent in the previous year. The total number of vehicles delivered grew by 12 percent to 9.24 million. All regions contributed to this growth, with Europe (+20 percent) and North America (+18 percent) as the main drivers. In China, the Group’s largest single market, deliveries to customers grew by 2 percent, despite a demanding market environment.

Oliver Blume, CEO Volkswagen Group, said: “2023 was an important year for the Volkswagen Group in terms of our realignment. Last year, we continued to implement our 10-point program and the performance programs. The clean-up work has been completed. The main course has been set for the restructuring of the Volkswagen Group. We can build on this in 2024 and have a solid basis for an accelerated ramp-up from 2025.”

At EUR 22.6 (22.5) billion, operating profit before special items remained at previous year’s level despite significant negative valuation effects, particularly from commodity hedging, amounting to EUR 3.2 billion. This corresponds to an operating return on sales before special items of 7.0 (8.1) percent.

The Automotive Division’s net cash flow amounted to EUR 10.7 (4.8) billion. The increase is primarily due to growth in the operating business. The elimination of bottlenecks in the supply chain for finished vehicles also led to a sharp reduction in inventories of around EUR 5 billion by the end of the year.

At EUR 40.3 (43,0) billion, after dividend payments of around EUR 11 billion, the Automotive Division’s net liquidity remains at a robust level.

The Board of Management and Supervisory Board are proposing to the Annual General Meeting a dividend of EUR 9.00 per ordinary share and EUR 9.06 per preferred share, representing an increase of EUR 0.30 per ordinary and preferred share respectively compared to the previous year’s figures. The payout ratio corresponds to 28 percent and is therefore slightly below the Group’s ambition of at least 30 percent.

Arno Antlitz, CFO & COO Volkswagen Group: “The results for the 2023 financial year show that we have become even more robust. We have excellent products and have launched ambitious Group-wide efficiency programs. Therefore, we are confident about 2024, despite the muted economic outlook and intense competition. On that basis, we will consistently drive the transformation of the Volkswagen Group forward. We expect a tailwind from a large number of new product launches, a positive trend in product costs and continued cost discipline. Our flexibility is our strength: we are continuing to invest in the electrification and digitalization of our product range, while simultaneously keeping our combustion vehicles competitive during the transition phase.”

The Volkswagen Group is continuing to invest particularly in the Chinese market, new products, its battery business, and its platforms for BEVs and combustion models. In 2024, the investment ratio will peak at an expected 13.5 to 14.5 percent. In the following years, the Group anticipates the investment ratio to gradually approach the target level of 11 percent by 2027. By better leveraging its synergies, the Group will be able to limit its upfront investments to EUR 170 billion in the upcoming five-year plan from 2025 to 2029.

Outlook 2024

The Volkswagen Group expects the sales revenue to exceed the previous year’s figure by up to 5 percent. The operating return on sales is expected to range between 7.0 percent and 7.5 percent.

In the Automotive Division, the Group assumes an investment ratio of between 13.5 percent and 14.5 percent in 2024. The automotive net cash flow for 2024 is expected to be between EUR 4.5 and EUR 6.5 billion. This will include in particular investments for the future and cash outflows from mergers and acquisitions for the battery business, which are a vital pillar of the Volkswagen Group’s transformation. Net liquidity in the Automotive Division is expected to be between EUR 39 billion and EUR 41 billion in 2024. It remains the Group’s goal to continue its solid financing and liquidity policy.

Challenges will arise in particular from the economic situation, the increasing intensity of competition, volatile commodity, energy and foreign exchange markets, and more stringent emissions-related requirements.

 

 

Entrevista a Tiago Guimarães Coelho, gerente de AGI

“Ofrecemos la máquina con menor consumo energético del mercado y podemos obtener en tiempo real el impacto en huella de carbono de la producción”

Augusto Guimarães & Irmão, España, S.L, AGI, ha participado en el Estudio de Mercado de Máquinas de Inyección, Periféricos y Robots que organizamos en Plásticos Universales / Interempresas para obtener los datos de ventas de maquinaria de 2023 en la industria del plástico en España.

in Interempresas, 01-03-2024


 

¿Cómo resumiría 2023 para la industria del plástico?

Fue un año algo especial, donde la industria en general (no solo el sector de los plásticos) vivió un periodo de corrección de las cadenas de suministro. Después de dos años en los que hubo carencia de suministro, plazos de entrega más largos y subida de precios, en 2023 la escasez ya no se ha notado y no se ha tenido que mantener el nivel de seguridad de los stocks de los años anteriores. Todo esto llevó a un descenso de la demanda de producción sobre todo en aquellos que fabrican y suministran componentes. Esto se sintió en la generalidad de los mercados donde el sector de los plásticos no fue una excepción.

¿Cómo ha sido concretamente para su empresa?

Nos cuesta recordarlo, pero 2023 fue el primer año totalmente libre de restricciones desde el brote del Covid. Esto ha generado una concentración bastante grande de eventos, tanto en proveedores como de clientes, permitiéndonos estar próximos a mucha gente del sector, tanto en España como en el mundo, algunos con quienes no estábamos personalmente en contacto desde hace bastante tiempo.

Eventos con proveedores, asociaciones, ferias internacionales, donde en la Península Ibérica, tuvimos por primera vez dos ferias en la misma semana (Barcelona y Porto) con máquinas en producción para valoración por parte de nuestros clientes.

Este fue el año en que logramos realizar una idea que llevábamos algún tiempo con voluntad de concretizar, la Roboshot Week. Un evento innovador en que invitamos a un grupo de clientes a la Fanuc Academy. De “vuelta a la escuela”, en un contexto muy distinto del habitual, tuvimos la oportunidad de estar con clientes manipulando y haciendo pruebas de conocimientos directamente en la máquina. Y aprovechamos para profundizar en temas relacionados con materiales de la mano de nuestro socio Guzmán Polymers.

¿Cree que 2024 será un año favorable para el sector de la transformación de plástico?

Creo que 2024 será un año para confirmar si el sector está o no ya con los “pies en el suelo”, estabilizada la corrección que hemos sentido en 2023. Si se confirma, esto tendrá seguro un efecto en la voluntad de inversión y en la continuidad del proceso de innovación y actualización de procesos.

¿Observa que el mercado demande, cada vez más, soluciones tecnológicamente avanzadas?

Yo diría que avanzadas y eficientes. Las dos ya no pueden vivir separadas.
La utilización de recursos va a ser cada vez más objeto de examen en las industrias. Esto es una buena noticia para nuestro sector porque tenemos un gran potencial de crecimiento (al ser bastante menos exigente en recursos que otros sectores alternativos), todavía será importante demostrar esto y cómo, a través de la tecnología, optimizamos la utilización de recursos ofreciendo entornos de realización profesional de calidad a los operarios involucrados.

Esto tendrá un efecto transversal en las medidas de ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) con gran impacto en toda la cadena de suministro, de los clientes a proveedores incluyendo a la banca y la financiación.

¿Qué tecnologías novedosas integran las máquinas o soluciones que ustedes comercializan?

Ofrecemos a nuestros clientes la máquina con menor consumo energético del mercado, donde incluso podemos obtener en tiempo real el impacto en huella de carbono de la producción, permitiendo ajustar el proceso en función de su optimización. Además, ofreciendo importantes ayudas al operario para mantener el proceso bajo control desde las aplicaciones más sencillas a las más complejas.
La integración robótica cada vez más próxima del proceso, haciendo combinaciones de múltiples robots (cartesianos y/o articulados) es también un factor de avance en la productividad.

¿Observa alguna tendencia en el mercado en los últimos tiempos que se pueda destacar?

La sostenibilidad es un factor inevitable y que estará cada vez más presente (y para bien). A la productividad y calidad, se une cada vez más la optimización de los recursos, la seguridad y el bienestar de los operarios, manteniendo altos niveles de productividad y calidad.

 

https://www.agi.pt/

 

 

Daimler Truck: Record results in 2023 and robust outlook for 2024

  • Continued growth and further improved profitability: Daimler Truck achieved financial targets for 2023, on track to reach 2025 margin ambition.
  • Adjusted EBIT jumped by 39% to a record level of €5,489 million (2022: €3,959 million); all segments contributed with profit growth.
  • Revenue significantly increased by 10% to €55.9 billion (2022: €50.9 billion).
  • Industrial Business: Adjusted return on sales reached best ever 9.9% (2022: 7.7%), record level free cash flow of €2,811 million (2022: €1,746 million); earnings per share (EPS) of €4.62 (2022: €3.24).
  • Dividend: Proposal of €1.90 per share (2022: €1.30).
  • Robust outlook for 2024: Daimler Truck expects revenue and adjusted EBIT on 2023 level, adjusted ROS anticipated between 9.0% – 10.5%.

in Daimler Truck, 01-03-2024


Daimler Truck Holding AG (Daimler Truck) delivered record level results in revenue, EBIT (earnings before interests and taxes), adjusted return on sales (ROS) and industrial free cash flow in 2023 and continues its path on further improving the Group’s overall profitability towards the 2025 ambition. Daimler Truck benefitted from a strong demand in its key commercial vehicle markets and further increased its unit sales, revenue, EBIT, industrial free cash flow (FCF) and earnings per share (EPS). With 526,053 units, 1% more trucks and buses were sold worldwide in 2023 compared to prior-year level (520,291 units) – despite supply bottlenecks, which prevented even higher sales. The Company sold 3,443 zero-emission trucks and buses, 277% more than in the previous year (914 units). Supported by improved net pricing as well as positive volume and product mix effects in unit sales, the Group’s revenue increased by 10% to a record level of €55.9 billion in 2023 (previous year: €50.9 billion).

2023 also showed a very positive development for earnings and return on sales, further driven by strong financial results in Q4. The adjusted EBIT jumped by 39% in 2023 to a record level of €5,489 million (2022: €3,959 million). With a peak of 10.6% in Q4, the adjusted ROS of the Industrial Business reached 9.9% in the full year 2023 (2022: 7.7%). Daimler Truck’s free cash flow of the Industrial Business rose by 61% to €2,811 million in the reporting year (2022: €1,746 million). Earnings per share (EPS) amounted to €4.62, up 43% compared to 2022. Amid a normalized ordering behavior, incoming orders in 2023 decreased by 18% compared to the previous year’s high level.

Martin Daum, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck comments: “2023 was a record year with outstanding financial results. We achieved an adjusted operating profit of 5.5 billion euros and an adjusted return on sales in the Industrial Business of almost 10%. This means, we are in very close reach of our 2025 ambition. This is a great achievement our global Daimler Truck team can be very proud of. Going forward, we remain determined to unlock our full potential and to deliver strong profitability even in normalizing core markets.”

Transformation Milestones

Daimler Truck continuously keeps working towards the strategic ambitions to both lead the industry’s transformation to zero-emission transportation as well as to lead in sustained profitability. In 2023, the Company reached important milestones alongside this journey. Both product and service launches and strategic projects such as the joint ventures for battery cell production with Accelera by Cummins and PACCAR, and Greenlane for a public charging and hydrogen fueling network in North America illustrate Daimler Truck’s ambition to be a pacemaker of the industry.

In 2023, Daimler Truck expanded its global product portfolio to ten different zero-emission models. In North America, the new and fully-electric Freightliner eM2 was launched for urban delivery applications. In Europe, the battery-electric long-haul truck Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 celebrated its world premiere. Daimler Truck’s Asian affiliate FUSO handed over first units of its FUSO Next Generation eCanter to renowned customers like Japanese retail giant Yamato, and launched the battery-electric medium-duty RIZON trucks in the U.S. With the publicly acclaimed record run of the fuel cell Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, which covered 1,047 kilometers with one fill of liquid hydrogen, Daimler Truck marked another milestone in its dual strategy of offering customers both battery- and hydrogen-powered trucks.

With the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fuel cell, Daimler Buses introduced the first series-production electric bus with fuel cell as a range extender, providing a long range and high passenger capacity. The all-new Setra MultiClass 500 LE was launched 2023 to set new standards for low entry inter-city buses. Daimler Truck Financial Services completed its initial global rollout with the commencement of operations in France in 2023. The segment also started a cooperation in Romania and is now active in 17 markets worldwide with financial and mobility services. With a contract volume of €28.3 billion, the segment is one of the world’s largest financial services providers for commercial vehicles.

Dividend & Status Share Buy Back

For the 2023 financial year, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board of Daimler Truck Holding AG will propose to the Annual General Meeting on May 15th, 2024, a dividend payment of €1.90 per share (2022: €1.30 per share).

On July 10th, 2023, the Board of Management of Daimler Truck Holding AG resolved, with the approval of the Supervisory Board, to launch a share buyback program. On this basis, own shares worth up to €2 billion (excluding incidental acquisition costs) will be acquired on the stock exchange over a period of up to 24 months. By December 31st, 2023, the Company repurchased 17,668,525 shares for €557 million.

Outlook for 2024

Due to the continued difficult economic conditions and the lack of catch-up effects, Daimler Truck expects the key truck markets to return to normal levels in 2024. From today’s perspective the Group anticipates the heavy-duty truck market in North America to range between 280,000 and 320,000 units (-16% to –3% vs. 2023) and the heavy-duty truck market in the region EU30 to amount between 260,000 and 300,000 units (-24% to –12% vs. 2023). Daimler Truck anticipates unit sales in 2024 in a range between 490,000 and 510,000 units (2023: 526,053 units).

The Group is expecting its revenue to range between €52 billion and €54 billion in the Industrial Business and between €55 billion and €57 billion on Group level. Daimler Truck is expecting its adjusted EBIT on prior year level. The adjusted ROS of the Industrial Business is anticipated to range between 9.0% and 10.5%. Daimler Truck is expecting a slight increase for the free cash flow of the Industrial Business in 2024.

 

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Record results in 2023 and robust outlook for 2024 (PDF, 0,19MB)