Growing sales volumes and stable margins - despite the persistence and worsening of three worrying phenomena, already cause for concern in 2006: the super-Euro, increased raw material costs and runaway oil prices. That, in short, is the 2007 Sacmi Group Annual Report, which closed with total sales of 1,243 million Euros, +15.7% on 2006. A figure that, net of restructuring, acquisitions and changes in the scope of consolidation, would actually have been more than seven percent higher (23.3%).
The year 2007 also closed with an enviable overall profit margin (Ebitda 127 million Euros, +39.5%, Ebit at 89 million Euros, +48.3% on 2006). While net profit settled at 30.1 million Euros, Group internationalization proceeded apace, with exports accounting for 85% of all sales. In 2007 financial solidity and a focus on growth continued to be key characteristics of the Group, which raised its net worth to 533 million Euros and R&D investment levels to 43 million Euros.
With regard to individual business areas, the solidity of the Ceramics Division deserves a special mention: despite a decidedly unfavorable international economic scenario, well-targeted business plans and the development of new products and technologies have actually led the Division to exceed budget forecasts in terms of both volumes and profitability, with sales reaching 836 million Euros as opposed to 695 in 2006. The significant expansion of Whiteware in 2007 should also be noted: sales, in fact, almost doubled, rising to 100 million Euros.
In 2007 the Beverage & Packaging Division continued the expansion plan implemented in 2006, with sales reaching 221 million. New records were achieved on the plastic cap machine/plant sales front, with figures touching 116 million Euros (+30% compared to 2006). Excellent performance from Sacmi Filling too, with growth touching 42%, while Sacmi Labeling, scoring a +30%, underlined its status as a major player in the high-speed labeling machine business.
Following the successful conclusion of several business agreements – which saw some companies leave the Sacmi Group – sales and employees within the Food Processing & Inspection Systems Division actually fell, settling at 51 million Euros. However, performance at Carle & Montanari, was outstanding in 2007, with sales volumes increasing by 15%. Quality control system sales – especially in the fruit and vegetable sector – also increased.
For the Plastics Division 2007 was a year of consolidation: even though the market grew by a mere 3%, volumes increased by more than 16%. A brilliant result that is explained, on one side, by the Group’s decision – especially with regard to Negri Bossi – to transform itself from machine producer to complex systems provider, with everything being sustained by a strong focus on the core business and efficient synergies between various group companies (e.g. between Negri Bossi and Gaiotto Automation).
Finally, the Service Division. Sales of 48 million Euros, a 23% increase on 2006, reflect strategic developments in several fields, from information technology to shipping services, from key activities such as testing, design and maintenance of machine tools to administrative services.