Africa drives regional performance as Bühler raises EBIT margin to 8.0% in 2025
Bühler demonstrated operational resilience in 2025, improving profitability and sustaining investment in innovation despite a challenging global environment for capital goods.
SWITZERLAND – Africa became the strongest growth region for Bühler in 2025, marking a notable shift in the company’s geographic balance and underscoring the rising importance of food and feed investment across the continent.
Speaking during a media briefing held on February 16, Stefan Scheiber, Bühler’s Chairman of the Board, said that for the first time, Africa emerged as the largest regional market for Bühler’s food and feed businesses, supported by sustained demand for grain processing capacity, value-added food production, and supply chain modernization.
Overall, Bühler demonstrated operational resilience in 2025, improving profitability and sustaining investment in innovation despite a challenging global environment for capital goods.
Supported by a broad product portfolio, a diversified regional footprint, and a strong supply chain, the Swiss-based technology group held order intake broadly stable in local currencies and increased its EBIT margin to 8.0%, up from 7.6% a year earlier.
Order intake at Group level declined slightly by 0.5% in local currencies. Orders fell 3.9% to CHF 2.7 billion (USD 3.0 billion).
Group turnover contracted by 4.4% in local currencies and by 7.8% to CHF 2.8 billion (USD 3.1 billion). The decline reflected lower order intake in the prior year, combined with project execution timing and delayed material deliveries in selected markets.
Despite the lower turnover, Bühler improved profitability through strict cost discipline, higher internal productivity, and operational efficiency across manufacturing, logistics, and support functions.
The stronger EBIT margin supports continued investment in customer-focused innovation and long-term growth.
“We demonstrated resilience and strength to innovate for our customers and invest in future growth continuously,” said Stefan Scheiber, CEO until the end of 2025 and now Chairman of the Board.
He added that Bühler’s global setup and customer orientation helped offset negative market effects, while effective Board-level transitions ensured continuity as a family-owned, independent company.
CFO Mark Macus said net liquidity increased further following the exceptional cash generation achieved in the prior year.
Higher operational efficiency, disciplined project management, and reduced net working capital strengthened the balance sheet.
“Our strong financial position gives us the flexibility to advance our customers’ businesses through innovation, serve them in more markets globally, and support them throughout the asset lifecycle with expanded services,” he said.
Grains & Food underpins performance
Bühler’s Grains & Food business delivered stable performance and gained market share in several segments. Orders in the division declined by 1.1% to CHF 2.15 billion (USD 2.36 billion).
Within the segment, Chocolate & Coffee stood out, with order intake rising 31.0% to CHF 325 million (USD 358 million). Value Nutrition posted 12.7% growth.
By contrast, Grain Quality & Supply and Consumer Foods saw order declines of 7.4% and 8.8% respectively, while Milling Solutions orders fell 14.3% from a historically high base in 2024, reflecting softer investment activity in large milling projects.
Advanced Materials orders declined 15.2% to CHF 551 million (USD 606 million), amid weak automotive investment, European uncertainty, and competitive pressure in China.
Die Casting was most affected, with orders down 37.9%. Grinding & Dispersing achieved strong growth of 51.0%, supported by battery-related projects and renewed demand in inks, coatings, and food applications.
Customer Service continued to grow in strategic importance, increasing its share of Group turnover to 38.3%, from 35.4% a year earlier. Long-term service agreements rose from 2,500 to more than 3,000, strengthening customer retention and installed-base performance.
Innovation, sustainability, and leadership transition
In 2025, Bühler invested CHF 131 million (USD 144 million) in research and development, representing 4.8% of turnover.
Around 60 new products were launched during the year. The company reported that 11 out of 15 assessed value chains can already achieve reductions of at least 50% in energy, waste, water use, and CO₂e emissions using existing Bühler technologies. Internally, Bühler reduced its own emissions to 30% below the 2019 baseline.
Leadership transitions were completed as planned. Stefan Scheiber was elected Chairman of the Board, while Samuel Schär became CEO from January 1, 2026. In Grains & Food, Mike Häfeli succeeded Johannes Wick as CEO of the division.
Outlook
Looking ahead, Bühler expects market volatility to continue into 2026. Backed by a solid financial base, a diversified portfolio, and a strong service business, the company aims to strengthen its positions across food, feed, and advanced materials while continuing to invest in innovation and sustainability.
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