Harting embarks on new biz year from a strong position

The HARTING Technology Group, headquartered in Germany, has entered the new 2015/16 business year from a strong position. Sales in the 2014/15 business year elapsed were up by 3.7 % to EUR 567 million (previous year: EUR 547 million), thereby marking the highest sales in the history of the company.

“We are pleased with these developments. The result is in line with the forecast stated at our last annual press conference. We have delivered,” says Philip Harting, company chairman. At the beginning of December 2014, the HARTING management board had forecasted lower single digit sales gains.

Harting management board.

Business developments ran different courses in the individual regions in which HARTING is active. In Europe (without Germany) and the Near East (EMEA), sales were up by 4.6% to EUR 183 million (previous year: EUR 175 million). Business in the Americas region showed marked growth. The family owned and managed company headquartered in Espelkamp generated gratifying gains of 17,3% to EUR 61 million (previous year: EUR 52 million). Within two years HARTING has been able to boost sales in the Americas by a sound one third. “The reindustrialization of the USA is a growth driver, while the interest in our Industry 4.0 solutions is also decidedly substantial. I am looking forward to the USA as our partner country at next year’s Hannover Messe,“ Philip Harting continued. HARTING announced that the partner country USA will hold particular significance at the upcoming trade fair appearance.

Philip Harting emphasized that the passing of the baton in October, when he assumed the chairman position from his father Dietmar Harting, set the course for the successful continuation of the company’s development. “This change at the helm stands for continuity – and consequently for security and reliability for our suppliers, our customers and our employees“, Philip Harting emphasized.

Very positive response to Industry 4.0 solutions

In the past business year too, HARTING succeeded in strengthening its market position as a researching and innovative company with a consistent customer focus. At the world’s largest industrial trade fair, Hannover Messe, and the SPS IPC Drives trade fair in Nuremberg, HARTING presented product novelties that provide customers with rapid and reliable Industry 4.0 based production. Here, HARTING has picked up on the key Integrated Industry trends (Customization, Miniaturization, Identification, Modularization, Integration and Digitalization) and developed concrete solutions. “Our two trade fair presentations met with very positive response from the markets. Especially the feedback from the professional associations ZVEI and VDMA spurs us on to continue the course we are charting. I can already promise you that we will be showcasing some genuine highlights at next year’s Hannover Messe,“ Philip Harting went on to say.

Cautious view on the new year 2016

HARTING takes a cautiously optimistic view of the 2015/16 business year that has just begun. As current assessments of relevant associations and the Federal Ministry of Economics confirm, the global business outlook has clouded further. “In this context I would like to mention the weaker growth emanating from China, or the growth slowdown in the emerging nations. We should also consider the fact that the mechanical engineering sector is anticipating zero growth in the upcoming 2016 calendar year,” Harting stated.