Kistler Annual Statement 2023 – Growth Despite a Difficult Environment

With sales of CHF 465 million, the Kistler Group recorded growth of 7.1 percent in 2023, or 14.2 percent adjusted for currency effects. At CHF 429 million, incoming orders remained below expectations and 14.8 percent below the previous year’s result. Despite difficult market conditions, Kistler is investing in innovation and the development of new markets.

The original expectations for growth were not met. Cooling markets, cost increases and the appreciation of the Swiss franc against the leading currencies made incoming orders more difficult in 2023. The markets in China are only recovering slowly after the pandemic.

Globally, Kister invested in several locations in 2023. The new dummy calibration laboratory for crash tests was opened in Shanghai, offering customers in the Asian region a complete range of automotive safety services. The Bratislava site has become the Kistler Group’s international software hub with the move to a new, modern office. At its headquarters in Winterthur, Kistler acquired land for its future Smart Factory in 2023 and set up the new Innovation Lab at the Technopark.

Innovations for new applications
The new “Structural Health Monitoring” application from Kistler is used to monitor bridges and railroad tracks to protect critical infrastructure and to initiate repairs and renovations in a cost-effective and timely manner. In the US alone, the government has allocated USD 40 billion to repair bridges across the country.

Investment in employees
Globally, 120 new jobs were created. The number of employees worldwide amounts to 2,217. “Innovation, technology and products: This is only possible with the right people,” says Rolf Sonderegger, CEO of the Kistler Group. “Predictability will also be a challenge in 2024. Nevertheless, we are cautiously optimistic and are sticking to our future course of growth through innovation.”