Despite comparatively high energy costs and geopolitical tensions, the medical technology manufacturer B. Braun slightly increased its sales in the past financial year. “We have continued our growth course in what was once again a very challenging environment,” said CEO Anna Maria Braun on Thursday in Kassel. Sales increased by three percent to 8.8 billion euros, and operating profit increased by 27 percent to 297 million euros, as B. Braun reports. Earnings before taxes rose by 15.3 percent to 206 million euros.
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But the company had to pay more than twice as much tax. “The significant increase in the Group tax rate was due to reduced tax income from the capitalization of tax credits as well as value adjustments on loss carryforwards. Furthermore, back taxes and provisions due to external tax audits in various countries led to an increase in tax expenses,” the annual report informs. The result: the consolidated profit fell by twelve percent to a good 125 million euros
Almost all regions and large parts of the portfolio have increased, explained Braun. Growth was particularly strong in instruments, knee and hip implants as well as imaging systems and suture materials. However, after the end of the corona pandemic, sales fell for masks and gloves.
Locations more heavily utilized
The overall positive development is largely due to measures that B. Braun has implemented worldwide in the past two years, explained the CEO. For this purpose, resources were pooled and the capacity utilization of the individual locations was increased.
As a result, the number of employees fell from 65,055 (as of December 31, 2022) to the current 63,011. Of these, around 15,700 people work in Germany. The group is also expecting growth this year. Braun said she is confident about 2024. “We are assuming sales growth in our strategic corridor of between five and seven percent and also a further improvement in earnings.” B. Braun, based in Melsungen in northern Hesse, produces, among other things, cannulas, nutrient solutions, surgical instruments and plasters in 64 countries.
(mack)