The positive sales trend seen in many parts of the world continues as the rapid economic rebound is unfolding and construction activity remains high. Strong demand for non-combustible insulation and our other stone wool products resulted in double-digit growth in all business areas in the Group.
“With construction activity booming in many markets, we achieved double-digit sales growth in all business areas and good profitability despite soaring energy and input costs, a tight labour market and material shortages. We are working hard to meet customer demand and overall managing supply chain and logistics challenges well. Nevertheless, the high cost increases we are seeing on energy, production material and logistics are negatively affecting margins, necessitating additional and more rapid price increases, which are likely to continue in the coming months”, says ROCKWOOL Group CEO Jens Birgersson.
Highlights
- Sales in the first nine months of 2021 reached 2 246 MEUR, an increase of 19 percent in local currencies and 18 percent in reported figures.
- Sales in Q3 2021 reached 797 MEUR, a growth of 18 percent in local currencies compared to Q3 2020, driven by high volume demand and sales price increases.
- EBITDA in the first nine months of 2021 reached 456 MEUR, with a 20.3 percent EBITDA margin, up 0.6 percentage points from last year. Strong leverage from sales growth contributed to the result.
- EBITDA in Q3 2021 reached 157 MEUR, with a 19.7 percent EBITDA margin, down 2.0 percentage points from Q3 2020. High inflation on production materials and energy prices were not fully compensated by sales price increases and cost actions in the quarter.
- EBIT in the first nine months of 2021 increased 29 percent to 306 MEUR, with a 13.6 percent EBIT margin, up 1.1 percentage points from last year.
- EBIT in Q3 2021 increased six percent to 105 MEUR, with a 13.2 percent EBIT margin, down 1.7 percentage points from Q3 2020.
- Investments excluding acquisitions reached 218 MEUR in the first nine months of 2021, down 44 MEUR compared to last year as the two large capacity expansions in Germany and the United States were completed.
- Annualised return on invested capital reached 19.7 percent compared to 17.7 percent last year, an increase due to higher earnings.
Outlook 2021
- Growth in net sales around 17 percent in local currencies.
- EBIT margin above 13 percent.
- Investment level around 320 MEUR excluding acquisitions, changed from previously around 370 MEUR.
For the full report, please see here. To follow the earnings call at 11.00 on 25 November, please click here.
