The spread of Covid-19 had a significant impact on Bobst Group’s 2020 first half-year figures. The overall business and pandemic situation improved as expected in Q3 2020, but constraints linked to the pandemic situation increased again since the end of September.
Full year 2020 sales and operating result (EBIT) are influenced by the international travel and quarantine restrictions which have an impact on the Group’s ability to install machines and recognise sales. If borders between countries remain open and air travel will not further deteriorate, the Group expects full year sales of around CHF 1.3bn. The Group’s operating result (EBIT) should be positive, even before a favorable one-time operating result (EBIT) impact of around CHF 20m from the sale of real-estate property in North America, concluded in 2020.
The long-term financial targets of at least 8% operating result (EBIT) and a minimum 20% return on capital employed (ROCE) are confirmed.
