Kübler successfully braces itself against the crisis in 2020

Company

Kübler Group records only a slight decline in revenues of around 2% in 2020. "Although this is a significant deviation from the plan, it clearly shows that so far we have come through the Corona crisis in a tidy manner," said Lothar Kübler in a press statement. The subsidiaries in China and India as well as some larger OEM customers delivered growth, while business in Germany and some European countries declined. In the USA, a slight increase was achieved.

 In the business unit "Encoders and Linear Measuring Systems (Measuring)" Kübler achieved almost the same revenue as in the previous year. New products in particular were responsible for increases in sales here:  For example, smart bearingless magnetic encoders for installation in motors and generators, Safe Absolute encoders or the new elevator positioning system "Ants LES". Kübler's 24 h delivery service for over 1 million encoder variants was strongly accepted by customers in 2020. The smaller Counting and Process Technology business area, on the other hand, fell back significantly. Kübler recorded double-digit growth in slip rings. "New Ethernet slip rings of the SR 120 series are in demand because they enable Industry 4.0 concepts in machine applications," said Gebhard Kübler, who is responsible for product strategy in the management team.    

The family-owned company, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2020, reported an initially strong first quarter of 2020. The second quarter was the weakest of the year, with high drops in sales and order intake. Short-time work was introduced for a short period. Since the end of August, Kübler has recorded a continuously increasing order intake. The fourth quarter was even stronger than in 2019. In the end, the company achieved a group revenue of approximately €65 million. "For a Corona year, a result which is acceptable," said Martin Huth, the Managing Director Sales. Kübler attributes the moderate decline in sales to three causes. Firstly, it was possible to strengthen the ability to deliver. Secondly, Kübler's core business is in sectors that have been less severely affected by the crisis, such as elevators, wind power, drive technology or the packaging industry. Thirdly, the thrust of the new products that Kübler has developed in recent years as part of its innovation marathon can be felt. 

Despite the Corona crisis, Kübler invested last year in new employees in the sales division worldwide. There are just under 500 "Küblerians " working in 11 of the company's own subsidiaries, of which over 350 are in Germany. The vocational training quota is 6-7%. Kübler manufactures in 2 locations in Germany and in Pune, India. In addition, Kübler maintains an Assembly Facility in Charlotte, USA. 

Overall, Kübler improved its competitiveness in 2020. "We reduced waste for the Kübler Kaizen goal, we improved structures and always planned short term during the pandemic. Our employees have pulled along incredibly well. We have moved closer together as a Kübler team than before the crisis pandemic, despite the distance rule" summarizes Gebhard Kübler.

Things will also continue in 2021. A new sales company has already been established in Malaysia. For 2021, the company expects growth to be just under double digits and intends to invest further. With regard to costs, the company is planning “short term” in order to be able to adapt quickly to changing conditions in the Corona crisis.