Bossard reports 4.1% sales growth for first nine months of 2014

The Bossard Group continues to maintain its growth track. In the first nine months of fiscal 2014, sales grew by 4.1% in local currency (+2.0% in Swiss Francs). This positive result was largely due to the demand trend in Europe and Asia. The more challenging market environment in Europe, partly rooted in geopolitical uncertainties, did slow growth in the third quarter.
In the first nine months of this fiscal year, Bossard generated total revenue of CHF 473.5 million, a 4.1% increase in local currency over last year. In Swiss Francs, this represents a growth of 2.0%. In spite of sluggish demand in the third quarter, in Europe Bossard generated sales of CHF 306.7 million in the first nine months, which equals 5.2% growth in local currency (+4.5% in Swiss Francs) over last year. Business
in Asia continues to flourish. With sales of CHF 73.8 million, an increase of 16.9% in local currency (+11.6% in Swiss Francs) was achieved. The growth trend in Asia is the result of targeted development work and is broad-based.
In America Bossard remains confronted with waning sales, largely due to lower business volume from one major customer. Another contributing factor was that Tesla, the U.S. manufacturer of electric vehicles, temporarily reined in production at its Fremont, USA plant in the third quarter to expand its existing production capacities. Overall sales in America were CHF 93.0 million (-7.2% in local currency). In Swiss Francs, this represents a drop of 10.8%. 
Slight sales increase in third quarter
In the third quarter, the Bossard Group reached sales of CHF 152.5 million, an increase of 1.1% in local currency compared to last year. In Swiss Francs, sales remained at last year’s level. As in previous quarters, sales were markedly different from region to region.
In Europe, the overall positive demand trend continued although growth did weaken. Third quarter sales grew by 1.5% in local currency (+0.4% in Swiss Francs to CHF 98.5 million). The lower growth rates as compared to previous quarters correlate with the persistent downward-trending economic indicators which are partly due to the geopolitical uncertainties in Europe.
Demand in Asia remained robust. With a jump of 15.7% in local currency, Bossard was able to post double-digit growth in the third quarter as well. In Swiss Francs, sales rose by 14.6% to CHF 26.7 million. This positive trend is largely due to demand from new customers. Thanks to targeted development work, Bossard was able to achieve double-digit growth rates in most of the sales countries in Asia.
As mentioned, continued soft sales in third quarter in America are due to weaker demand from a major customer, a development that was already noticeable in prior quarters. Add to that Tesla’s temporary plant closure. This action on the part of the U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer, aimed at expanding production capacities, in no way affected the excellent sales expectations with this customer. In net terms, Bossard posted sales in America of CHF 27.3 million in the third quarter, a drop of 10.9% in local currency (-12.2% in Swiss Francs).
In 2014 another growth step despite headwind
For the fourth quarter, Bossard expects to see very different sales trends from one region of the world to another. While in Asia it is continuing to target above-average growth, Bossard expects demand to remain sluggish in Europe based on the current leading indicators. In America, the burgeoning sales volume with Tesla will affect business positively. Overall, for the fourth quarter Bossard anticipates sales to remain on the level of the third quarter. For fiscal year 2014, the company expects sales to be in the region of CHF 625 million, an increase of around 4.0% in local currency compared to last year.