EQS-News: wienerberger grows and increases dividend – third-best year on record

wienerberger grows and increases dividend – third-best year on record

Highlights 2024

• Total revenues of € 4.5 billion (+ 6%), operating EBITDA of € 760 million (- 6%)
• Free cashflow of close to € 420 million (+ 62%)
• One-off decline in reported profit due to non-recurring negative effects – sale of Russian business and restructuring measures to € 80 million
• Proposed dividend of € 0.95 per share (+ 5.6%)

Strategy and outlook 2025

• Strategic growth and expansion of solution portfolio through innovation and acquisitions
• Continuous expansion of a highly efficient network of modern and sustainable production sites
• Ready for reconstruction in Ukraine
• 2025 Operating EBITDA approximately € 800 million

Vienna, February 26, 2025 – 2024 was the third-best year in the history of the company, which confirms the strength of its strategy, its resilience, and its strong operative performance. Despite a challenging market environment, especially in the new build sector, robust margins were achieved through disciplined cost management and operational efficiency.

The construction sector faced significant headwinds in 2024, including a sharp decline in single- and multi-family home construction of sometimes more than 25%. Rising interest rates, increasing construction costs and political uncertainties further impeded market development. In order to face these challenges and mitigate margin pressure, wienerberger acted swiftly and thoroughly: capacity adjustments, restructuring measures and disciplined cost management have contributed € 100 million to profits, securing a group-level operating EBITDA margin of around 17%. Thanks to a strong focus on working capital management and inventory optimization, the company was able to generate a free cash flow of close to € 420 million. These measures were complemented by targeted portfolio adjustments, securing the company's financial stability, and allowing for further growth.

Strengthening the market position: accelerated integration, synergies, and strategic growth

The resilience of wienerberger’s diversified portfolio was particularly evident in the roof sector, which profited from the high demand for renovations in Europe. With the integration of Terreal, wienerberger further strengthened its market position and its portfolio of solutions for the entire building envelope. The integration process advanced ahead of schedule, further contributing to overall profitability. Additional strategic acquisitions – including Slatek OY in Finland and Tekken AS in Norway (smart water solutions) and GrainPlastics in the Netherlands (drainage and cable protection solutions) – have expanded the company's portfolio, optimized the supply chain and positioned wienerberger for long-term, sustainable growth.

wienerberger also continued its growth in the sector of piping for water and energy management and gained further market share. Thanks to targeted investments in plant expansions and new system solutions, this sector made a significant contribution to the Group's overall performance and now represents the largest business unit within wienerberger.

Performance of the Segments

Europe West: In 2024, external revenues amounted to € 2.5 billion (2023: € 2.2 billion) and operating EBITDA came to € 350 million (2023: € 378 million). The results include the ten months of strong contributions from the Terreal Group.

In countries such as Germany, France and Belgium, the anticipated recovery of the new residential housing markets did not materialize as anticipated. High interest rates and inflation-driven construction costs continued to impact demand. The Dutch housing market has improved sequentially, driven by growth in roof sales volumes. Together with the continuing demand for pipework solutions, this led to a clear turnaround. Residential markets also recovered in the UK and Ireland, with the renovation sector remaining robust. In Scandinavian markets, wienerberger further strengthened its position in smart water management by acquiring Slatek OY in Finland and Tekken AS in Norway.

Europe East: In 2024, external revenues amounted to € 1.2 billion (2023: € 1.2 billion) and operating EBITDA came to € 219 million (2023: € 220 million).

While the new-build market in Eastern Europe remained challenging, positive momentum was seen in some markets, driven by government-backed subsidies in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. In Croatia, the renovation and infrastructure sectors rebounded, contributing to earnings, with Vargon’s integration further strengthening wienerberger’s market position. Austria continued to experience weak residential construction activity, while Hungary saw increased demand in renovation. Infrastructure projects in the Czech Republic developed positively.

North America: In 2024, external revenues amounted to € 799 million (2023: € 838 million) and operating EBITDA came to € 191 million (2023: € 213 million).

While long-term housing demand remained robust, the facade business in North America continued to be impacted by high mortgage rates. The pipe business, however, performed well, supported by sustained demand for water management solutions. wienerberger strengthened its presence in the region through acquisitions, including Ludowici, a specialty roof tile manufacturer, and Summitville Tiles, a producer of facade systems.

Innovation and sustainability are central pillars of the strategy and drivers of growth

Innovation and sustainability are central pillars of wienerberger’s strategy and significant drivers of its long-term growth. wienerberger is more resilient, innovative, and efficient than ever. Already today, the company generates 33% of its revenue from innovative products, with a goal of reaching 35% by 2026. One major step was the launch of Wioniq, bringing together four innovative companies – Inter Act, I-Real, Wideco, and Slatek – and creating a new platform for smart water and energy management solutions, which offers significant growth potential.

For wienerberger, innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. Sustainability is a central part of its strategy and drives both progress as well as a positive impact on the environment and society. Among other things, wienerberger is increasingly focusing on the circular economy by expanding recycling capacities and integrating more resource-saving materials into production. One key achievement in decarbonization was the opening of wienerberger’s modernized CO₂-neutral brick plant in Uttendorf, Austria, where wienerberger installed the world’s largest electric industrial kiln. Thanks to this innovation, wienerberger now operates Europe’s most sustainable brick production facility, setting new industry standards. In doing so, wienerberger is actively driving the transformation towards a sustainable construction and infrastructure industry, making a decisive contribution to achieving the climate targets of the European Green Deal.

wienerberger is ready for the reconstruction in Ukraine

With its comprehensive portfolio of sustainable building materials and infrastructure solutions, wienerberger is ready to make an important contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine. With plants in neighboring countries the company is ready to meet the demand for bricks, roof tiles, paving products, and plastic pipes. With sufficient free capacity, wienerberger is ideally positioned for swift capacity increases and immediate deliveries. In addition, competent teams are available on site to ensure smooth implementation. The company's solutions are helping to realize climate-friendly, energy-efficient and sustainable infrastructure projects in the region.

Outlook 2025 and dividend

While market conditions are gradually stabilising, wienerberger expects these developments to be limited in visibility in its core markets, and uncertainties to remain high. Given this challenging environment, wienerberger will remain committed to strict cost discipline and operative efficiency to expand the Group’s EBITDA margin to 17.5%. The strategic priorities include optimising operating processes, increasing efficiency and seizing new growth opportunities.

Under the assumptions that (i) relevant end markets show a stable development in 2025 and (ii) interest rates will be cut further throughout 2025, wienerberger expects an operating EBITDA of approximately € 800 million.

With a strong financial base and a clear strategic focus, wienerberger is convinced that it will continue to create sustainable long-term value for its shareholders. The Executive Board will propose a dividend of € 0.95 per share to the Annual General Meeting, which represents an increase of approximately 5.6% compared to the 2023 dividend per share of € 0.90. Share buybacks remain a key component of the capital allocation strategy, which, together with an attractive dividend policy, offers an improved shareholder return. At the beginning of 2025, wienerberger successfully completed its latest share buyback program. In order to further increase shareholder value, wienerberger plans to cancel up to 2% of its share capital.

On February 26, 2025, at 08:00 AM (CET), CEO Heimo Scheuch and CFO Gerhard Hanke will present the financial results for 2024 in a conference call. The broadcast will be live, and further details and the livestream can be found here.

The full 2024 Annual Report will be published on March 31, 2025.
 

wienerberger
wienerberger is a leading international provider of innovative, ecological solutions for the entire building envelope, in the fields of new build and renovation, as well as infrastructure in water and energy management. With more than 20,000 employees worldwide, wienerberger's solutions enable energy-efficient, healthy, climate-friendly, and affordable living. wienerberger is the world’s largest producer of bricks and the market leader in clay roof tiles in Europe as well as concrete pavers in Eastern Europe. In pipe systems (ceramic and plastic pipes), the company is one of the leading suppliers in Europe and a leading supplier of facade products in North America. At the beginning of 2024, wienerberger successfully completed the acquisition of Terreal, becoming the leading European provider of innovative all-in roofing and solar solutions, as well as solutions for the entire building envelope in Europe and North America. With its more than 200 production sites, wienerberger generated revenues of approx. € 4.5 billion and an operating EBITDA of € 760 million in 2024.

For further information, please contact:
Claudia Hajdinyak, Head of Corporate Communications Wienerberger AG
t +43 664 828 31 83 | claudia.hajdinyak@wienerberger.com

Therese Jandér, Senior Vice President Investor Relations Wienerberger AG
t +43 1 601 92 - 10221 | investor@wienerberger.com