AUSTRIA - The EGGER Group, headquartered in St. Johann in Tirol, Austria, concluded the first half of its 2017/2018 financial year with a turnover of EUR 1.32 billion (+11.1% compared to the previous year).

The result before interest, taxes and depreciation (EBITDA) increased to EUR 222.5 million (+17.4%). The EBITDA margin increased to 16.8 % (previous year: 15.9 %).

Over the past half-year, the EGGER Group managed to increase its turnover in Europe and all relevant geographic markets, as well as in all product segments. The largest turnover increases (+11.0%) were recorded for the Decorative Products division, which sells products for furniture and interior design.The worldwide introduction of the EGGER Decorative Collection 2017-2019 had a particularly positive effect on the Decorative Products segment. The Flooring Products division (Laminate, Comfort and Design flooring) achieved an increase in turnover of +6.4%, as compared to the same period during the previous year. The Building Products division also achieved a turnover increase of +9.2% in a market marked by increasing raw material costs and availability bottlenecks.

Developing the company’s growth strategy, in the first half-year of the financial year 2017/2018 EGGER made investments worth EUR 264.4 million (previous year: EUR 145.6 million). EUR 228.1 million (previous year: EUR 109.2 million) were spent on growth investments, including acquisitions. The main investments during the first half-year 2017/2018 were primarily the acquisition of the plant in Argentina from Masisa, but also the start of the plant construction in Poland. Investments were also made in energy in France, as well as in logistics and automation projects in Austria and Germany. EUR 36.3 million (previous year: EUR 36.4 million) were spent on maintenance investments. A further step is already in preparation in the US: EGGER is investing in a new plant in Lexington, North Carolina. The announcement was made on 24th July 2017. Construction will start in 2018.

Given the positive situation in Western Europe, the new plant in Argentina, and the strategic move of volume from weaker regions to alternative markets, EGGER, now with more than 9000 employees worlwide, is expecting to increase turnover and maintain stable results throughout the Group for the financial year 2017/2018.