In future, the Datwyler Group will focus on the fast-growing, high-margin sealing business for attractive global markets. As announced on 23 December 2019, the distribution companies Distrelec and Nedis will be sold to Aurelius. Based on recognised core competencies, Datwyler has become a valued development partner for high-quality, system-critical sealing components in the Health Care and Automotive industries and beyond. Thanks to the successful growth strategy, revenue in the Sealing business has more than doubled since 2011 to CHF 891 million (2018). Operating profit (EBIT) has tripled to CHF 155 million.
Strengthening market focus and improving core competencies and agility.
“In order to strengthen our market focus, boost proximity to customers, use our long-standing core competencies more efficiently and make the organisation more agile, Datwyler has decided to redefine the Group’s organisation at the beginning of February 2020. To this end, we will combine our market and production activities to form two business areas, Health Care Solutions and Industrial Solutions. These will be supported by the new Technology & Innovation and Finance & Shared Services service units. The previous Holding functions and the functions of the Sealing Solutions division will be merged. With the new organisation, we will retain our previous synergies and enhance our innovation while optimising our cost structure. I firmly believe that, by restructuring the Group, we will be able to help our customers develop new, innovative systems even more effectively. This will speed up the implementation of our strategic priorities, including driving profitable organic growth supported by selected bolt-on acquisitions, increasing agility and accelerating digitalisation,” says Dirk Lambrecht, CEO of the Datwyler Group.
Renewal of Executive Management.
The new organisational structure leads to a renewal of the Executive Management. Thanks to systematic talent management, Datwyler has secured three managers with proven records from its own ranks as new members of the Executive Management. As explained in the separate press release, Walter Scherz will succeed Reto Welte as Chief Financial Officer. In the role of CFO, Walter Scherz will lead the new Finance & Shared Services service unit. The Health Care Solutions business unit will be managed by Dirk Borghs in future. Among other projects, Dirk Borghs was responsible for developing the sector-leading Datwyler FirstLine production standard. He was previously in charge of all production locations in the Sealing Solutions division. Dr Frank Schön will take over the management of the newly formed Technology & Innovation service unit. Frank Schön used to be responsible for research and development in the Sealing Solutions division. In recent years, he has successfully driven the establishment of the global research and development organisation, focusing on digital knowledge management. The Industrial Solutions business unit will be led by Torsten Maschke. Since the end of 2016, Torsten Maschke has been COO of Datwyler’s Sealing Solutions division and member of the Executive Management. In this role, he has successfully developed the division over the past three years and played part in working out the new organisational structure. With the completion of the sale of Distrelec and Nedis in the first quarter of 2020, Neil Harrison will step down from the Executive Management. The Board of Directors would like to thank Neil Harrison for his hard work and dedication in further developing the distribution business and wish him all the best for the future.
Conference call.
A conference call in English with CEO Dirk Lambrecht and CFO Reto Welte will be held today, Tuesday, 7 January 2020, at 11.00 a.m. (Central European Time).
How to join the conference call:
- Please register early before the date by clicking on this link. You will then receive an email with your dial-in details to easily and quickly access the conference.
- Please join the call 5 to 10 minutes before the start.
- Should you experience any technical issues accessing the call, please dial the following support number: +41 (0)58 310 5000
The English presentation slides will be available for downloading from our website www.datwyler.com at the link Investors > Publications > Presentations
A replay of the conference call will be available as a podcast download at the same link one hour after the call ends.
Enquiries
Guido Unternährer
Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
guido.unternaehrer@datwyler.com+41 41 875 19 00