Webasto SE Business Report FY ended Dec. 2016
Recent Years
Financial Overview
-In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the Company’s net sales increased by 8.3% over the previous year to EUR 3,186 million. Excluding foreign currency effects, the Company’s sales increased by approximately 10%.
-The Company’s EBIT in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 was EUR 206 million, an increase of 23.3% over the previous year’s figure of EUR 167 million.
-The Company’s Sunroofs & Components business unit comprised 74% of the Company’s sales in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, with turnover of approximately EUR 2.4 billion. The Thermo & Comfort business unit contributed approximately EUR 500 million or 16% of the Company’s total sales, while the Convertibles business unit comprised 10% or approximately EUR 300 million.
Recent Developments
-The Company will start production of roll-type sunshades at its sunroof plants in the U.S. and China in 2017. Currently, the Company is exporting shades for assembly to these countries from its subsidiary, Webasto Japan Co., Ltd., and will transfer technologies from there for the switch to local production. The U.S. and Chinese plants will handle sewing of shade fabric and produce electric shade winding units. The Company will reduce distribution costs by enhancing local production of components in the U.S. and China, which have high demand for sunroofs, and improve product competitiveness. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on June 24, 2016)
Contracts
-The Company announced that it provides soft tops for the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible. The top slides behind the back seats in a fully automatic motion taking 18 seconds. The roof takes 21 seconds to completely close. Both of these procedures can be completed at cruising speeds of up to 30 mph. The Company developed and produces the soft top for the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible at the Hengersberg plant in Lower Bavaria. The scope of fabric and sewing operations are supplied by the textile competence center in Velky Meder, Slovakia. (From a press release on July 5, 2016)
-The Company announced that it has developed a new soft top for the Rolls-Royce Dawn convertible. The soft top is 5.27 meters long, opens in 22 seconds and can do so at speeds of up to 50 kph. The Company worked on project Dawn in close cooperation with Rolls-Royce for three years. The production of the exclusive soft top for the Rolls-Royce Dawn is executed almost exclusively as a handcrafting process at the Hengersberg plant’s competence center for small batches. The soft tops are delivered to the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars plant in Goodwood in southern England. (From a press release on May 23, 2016)
Awards
-The Company received a BMW Supplier Innovation Award in 2016 in the category of “Emotional Experience” for its Sky Lounge Panoramic Roof, which features light entering from the sides and reflected onto a graphic. (From a press release on September 30, 2016)
-The Company’s Webasto Changchun received the Key Supplier Award 2016 from FAW-VW for excellence in quality, on-time delivery, and services.
-The Company’s Webasto Hengersberg location was awarded with the JLR Quality Award in 2016.
-In 2016, the Company’s plants in Plymouth, Michigan, U.S., and Irapuato, Mexico both received Q1 Awards from the Ford Motor Company.
-The Company’s plant in Plymouth, Michigan, U.S. received the 2016 General Motors Supplier Quality Excellence Award.
Outlook
-The Company is planning to achieve sales of EUR 5 billion by 2020.
R&D Expenditure |
(in million EUR) |
| FY ended Dec. 31, 2016 | FY ended Dec. 31, 2015 | FY ended Dec. 31, 2014 | |
| Overall | 220 | 205 | 187 |
| Gross in % of sales | 6.9 | 7.0 | 7.6 |
R&D Facilities
-The Company celebrated the topping out ceremony for its new administration and development center in Stockdorf, Germany. The Company is investing approximately EUR 40 million in the building, which features a total of 14,000 square meters of office and other usable floor space. The new building will have space to house approximately 500 employees and will be competed in the fall of 2017. (From a press release on October 12, 2016)
Product Development
Products showcased at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2016
-At IAA Commercial Vehicles 2016, the Company showcased several products.
- High-voltage heater prototype: Based on its electric heater launched in 2015, the Company unveiled a prototype with a heating capacity of 10kW, for more effective heating. The heater can used at voltage levels of up to 850V and has an efficiency factor of more than 95%.
- Thermo Top Pro water heaters: The Company showcased its next-generation water heaters with heating capacities of 12 and 15 kW. The water heaters have low fuel and energy consumption along with optimized noise levels, and are suited for mini and midi-buses.
- Transport refrigeration units: The Company highlighted its refreshed Frigo range of refrigeration systems, with systems designed for transport vehicles with a cargo capacity of up to 38 cubic meters. The systems are low weight and feature an aerodynamic design. The Company also displayed a flexible and expandable module with the Frigo Top 35 Multi-Temperature unit.
(From a press release on August 9, 2016)
Capital Expenditure |
(in million EUR) |
| FY ended Dec. 31, 2016 | FY ended Dec. 31, 2015 | FY ended Dec. 31, 2014 | |
| Overall | 140 | 160 | 125 |
| % of sales | 4.7 | 5.4 | 5.1 |
Investments Outside Germany
-On April 5, 2016, the Company held an inauguration ceremony for its newly expanded plant in Hiroshima, Japan. Approximately EUR 5.6 million was invested in the construction of a new two-story building with an effective floor space of more than 5,000 square meters. The new building will be used to accommodate additional production capacity, offices, and conference facilities. (From a press release on April 5, 2016)