EQS-News: Villeroy & Boch on course for growth: Group positions itself for the future with the integration of Ideal Standard

Press Release

Mettlach, 13 March 2025

Villeroy & Boch on course for growth: Group positions itself for the future with the integration of Ideal Standard

In the 2024 financial year, the Villeroy & Boch Group generated record revenue of € 1.421 billion, up 57.6 % on the previous year. The significant increase in revenue was primarily due to the acquisition of Ideal Standard in March 2024. The company also managed to improve its operating EBIT by 10 % from € 88.7 million to € 97.6 million. The targets for revenue and operating EBIT were thus achieved despite challenging market conditions.

Group sets course for profitable growth

The integration of Ideal Standard was the overall focus of the Group's activities in 2024. The development of a joint Group strategy and an optimised and integrated organisational structure enabled the first synergy effects to be realised. “With the integration of Ideal Standard, we've created a new company that has successfully positioned itself on the market under the umbrella of the Villeroy & Boch Group with two strong brands, clearly defined strategies for growth and an international organisation”, commented CEO Gabi Schupp on the past financial year. “Ideal Standard complements Villeroy & Boch's business model. All assumptions regarding the complementary strengths in terms of product portfolio, sales channels and regional presence have been confirmed and increased the Group's competitiveness.”

Acquisition-driven sales growth in the Bathroom & Wellness Division

In the 2024 financial year, the Bathroom & Wellness Division generated revenue of € 1,098.9 million, up 89.7 % over the previous year due to acquisitions. The Ideal Standard companies contributed revenue of € 512.1 million from 1 March 2024 onwards. Despite the continued subdued development of the construction sector, the previous year's sales level was slightly exceeded after adjusting for acquisitions. The ceramic sanitary ware and the fittings business units in particular achieved the highest revenue growth. The Bathroom & Wellness Division generated an operating profit (EBIT) of € 65.2 million in 2024, up € 7.9 million or 13.8 % over the previous year.

Stability despite weak consumer demand in Dining & Lifestyle

In 2024, the Dining & Lifestyle Division generated revenue of € 319.3 million. Although the economic environment was difficult, revenue remained stable at the previous year's level. Revenue increased in the project business for hotels and restaurants as well as in e-commerce. Brick-and-mortar retailers, on the other hand, recorded a decline in revenue. The company's own retail shops achieved almost the same revenue as in the previous year. The Dining & Lifestyle Division successfully closed the 2024 financial year with an operating profit (EBIT) of € 32.4 million, up 3.2 % over the previous year despite the difficult market environment.

Investments over the course of the year

In the 2024 financial year, the Villeroy & Boch Group invested a total of € 58.3 million in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. The focus of investment was on the modernisation and automation of the production sites of both divisions and on brand presence with the opening of Villeroy & Boch World and the outlet at the Group headquarters in Mettlach, Germany, as well as the modernisation of company-owned retail shops in Germany and abroad.

Dividend

The Supervisory Board and Management Board will propose to the General Meeting of Shareholders on 9 May 2025 that the unappropriated surplus of Villeroy & Boch AG be used to distribute a dividend of € 0.85 for ordinary shares and € 0.90 for preference shares.

Outlook for 2025 as a whole

With its two strong brands, its integrated organisation and clearly defined growth strategies, the Management Board of Villeroy & Boch AG believes that the Group is well positioned and, taking into account the economic environment, is therefore forecasting an increase in consolidated revenue in the high single-digit percentage range and a moderate increase in operating EBIT for the 2025 financial year. The rolling return on net operating assets in 2025 is expected to be at the previous year's level.

Please find the complete Report as a PDF-file for download here:

http://www.villeroyboch-group.com/en/investor-relations/publikationen.html

 
Contact:

Melanie Schnitzler                                                  Anabell Westrich

Director Corporate Communications                      Corporate Communications

Tel: +49 (0) 151 / 23 54 75 55                                Tel: +49 (0)6864 81-1338  

E-mail: schnitzler.melanie@villeroy-boch.com       E-mail: westrich.anabell@villeroy-boch.com