The Wipf Group –
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The Wipf Group is facing a dampening economy

The economic scenario

The 2024/2025 financial year was characterised by a dampening global economy, with the retail and gastronomy sectors coming under particular pressure. In Asia, the picture was mixed, while India stood out as a promising growth market. Meanwhile, in the US, the economy lost momentum due to trade policy uncertainties.

Our margins declined, weighed down by the weakness of the euro and US dollar, as well as by ongoing pressure on export margins. This situation was compounded by geopolitical tensions, which hampered investment. However, during the financial year, financial liabilities were reduced by a net amount of CHF 7 million.

The Swiss National Bank gradually reduced the base rate to zero percent. Nevertheless, the propensity to consume remained subdued due to the limited purchasing power of many households. Uncertainties have increased across the globe, slowing down the economy – creating an environment that challenges us, but one that also opens up opportunities for bold, forward-looking decisions.

Review of the 2024/2025 financial year

Group revenue amounted to CHF 145 million (previous year: CHF 157 million). This decline was attributable to weaker demand and also the fact that, following the sale of three Group companies in the 2023/2024 financial year, their revenue is no longer included in the figures.

The decline in EBITDA and margin reflects the challenging market environment. The annual result fell short of the previous year, which had benefited from one-off effects.At the same time, we made some important investments, with CHF 8.5 million going into the expansion and modernisation of our facilities – which was financed entirely from our own resources. Our robust capital structure was further strengthened. With 464 employees, the size of our team remains virtually unchanged – a sign of stability and continuity.

Outlook

We look to the future with realistic optimism. International export markets will continue to be characterized by uncertainty – caused by geopolitical tensions, fluctuating currencies and weakening global demand. Yet, at the same time, Switzerland’s stable domestic economy provides a sturdy foundation on which to build. With GDP forecast to grow by around 1 percent and a robust labour market, opportunities are emerging that we intend to leverage systematically.

Our strategy is clearly defined and geared towards the long term: innovation, sustainability and digitalisation will be the key drivers of our future growth. We intend to respond to our customers’ changing needs in a targeted way by offering new products and services. By utilising additional sales channels – such as the platform Elcoworld.ch – we will access new markets and achieve greater proximity to our target groups. These initiatives are not just an expression of our ambition to respond to changes, but also to play an active role in shaping our industry’s development.

At the same time, we are increasingly investing in the modernisation of our production facilities. The aim is to continuously increase efficiency and measurably improve sustainability standards. A particular focus here is on reducing CO2 emissions: we want to reduce our environmental footprint step by step and take responsibility for the environment and society.

The measures we are taking will create a stronger foundation for long-term success. By working together with customers, employees and partners, we want to leverage opportunities, drive innovation and take responsibility for a sustainable future.