Source: Dreamstime | Author: DeltaStock
Reading time: 2 minutes
The global automation company, mostly known for making robots and automated guided vehicles, posted a record-setting fiscal year as the effects of the pandemic start to gradually recede and businesses across the world once more have sufficient budgets to either semi-automate or fully automate their line of work.
Financial performance for FY 2021
“I have been proud to call myself a member of the KUKA family for just under ten years now. And the past year of 2021 clearly demonstrated what makes this company and its people so special. It is not only the great expertise and the broad positioning in so many different industries and countries. Above all, it is the “KUKA Spirit”. That is something money can’t buy, but [also] something that comes about when people happily work together.”
Peter Mohnen, CEO
Here’s how Kuka AG did for the period:
– Gross income: €696.7 million (up 38.2%) compared to €504.1 million in 2020
– Net income: €49.4 million after taxes compared to a negative €94.6 million in 2020
– Sales revenue: €3.28 billion (up 27.7%) compared to €2.57 billion in 2020
– Earnings per share: €0.98 compared to a negative €2.59 in 2020
– Operating expenses: €101.4 million (up 25.6%) compared to €80.7 million in 2020
– Free cash flow: the record €100.4 million compared to €37 million in 2020
– Orders received: for the whole year, the company received total orders amounting to €3.6 billion, which is 27.7% more compared to the total orders it received in 2020
– Number of active employees: 14,128 (up 3.1%) compared to 13,700 in 2020
According to Kuka, its expertise in the e-mobility sector, particularly in areas, such as battery assembly and lightweight EV bodies, is what allowed it to better position itself in the burgeoning U.S. and Chinese EV markets and significantly bump up its order count for the year. At the moment, with the aid of its Chinese majority owner Midea, the company is hoping to further expand its operations in the Chinese market as “no other country in the world has as many robots in operations as it does”.
Financial outlook for fiscal 2022
“After a very tough year in 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis, all the signs at KUKA indicated a return to old strength. Thanks to the unparalleled dedication of our approximately 14,000 employees, we have fought our way back to where we belong: the forefront. Anyone who thought that the cutbacks and necessary belt-tightening and restructuring measures resulting from the crisis had done lasting damage to the company has been proven wrong . . . [as] we delivered a record year.”
Peter Mohnen, CEO
Here is the financial performance that the company expects given the current geopolitical climate:
– Orders are expected to be slightly higher than in 2021
– Sales revenues are expected to be slightly higher than in 2021
– Earnings after taxes are expected to be higher than in 2021
-Free cash flow is expected to be either positive or below that in 2021
In terms of automation trends, Kuka AG expects robotic and automation solutions in particular to be in greater demand in the medium term in order to compensate for the personnel bottlenecks during the COVID-19 crisis, reduce workforce costs, and promote efficiency and flexible adaptation to changing market requirements and dynamics. The company also thinks that the increased reshoring trend that aims to improve the resilience of supply chain systems will further boost demand for highly automated technologies.
To give itself an extra edge in 2022, the automation leader will also focus on developing specialised software solutions, such as its new iiQKA robot control platform, in order to enhance its product line with “flexible digital connectivity options” and bring its Mission 2030 to life: that of making automation available to all.
Upcoming reports
See the full list of upcoming earnings reports for 28th March – 1st April in the tables below.
Monday, 28th March 2022
| Country | Company | Fiscal period |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Jefferies Financial Group Inc | Q1 2022 |
| Germany | QBeyond AG | Q4 2021 |
Tuesday, 29th March 2022 г.
| Country | Company | Fiscal period |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Micron Technology Inc | Q2 2022 |
| Canada | Lululemon Athletica Inc | Q4 2021 |
| Germany | Kuka AG | Q4 2021 |
| Germany | Porsche Automobil Holding SE | Q4 2021 |
| Germany | Jenoptik AG | Q4 2021 |
Wednesday, 30th March 2022
| Country | Company | Fiscal period |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Paychex Inc | Q3 2022 |
| Germany | Aareal Bank AG | Q4 2021 |
| Norway | Telenor ASA | Full Year 2021 |
| Norway | Mowi ASA | Full Year 2021 |
Thursday, 31st of March 2022
| Country | Company | Fiscal period |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc | Q2 2022 |
| Germany | Deutsche Wohnen SE | Full Year 2021 |
Friday, 1st April 2022
| Country | Company | Fiscal period |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | BlackBerry Ltd | Q4 2022 |
***
Wish to trade on the global markets? Open a free practice account in Delta Trading or the popular MetaTrader 5 and test your best strategies in a real market environment, without risking real funds.
OR
