Mikron Automation business segment

The Mikron Automation business segment performed very well in the year under review. Demand from its most important sales market, the pharmaceutical and medtech industries, remained sound at all times. Capacity utilization was very good throughout the course of the year. Locations in Asia still benefited from orders related to corona test devices. Compared to 2020, when restructuring costs and losses related to the Berlin location had a negative impact, profitability of the business segment improved markedly.

Key figures of Mikron Automation
At CHF 176.7 million, the Mikron Automation business segment exceeded net sales for the 2020 financial year (CHF 161.7 million) by 9.3%. At CHF 170.5 million, Mikron Automation’s order intake reached almost the high level of 2020 (CHF 171.5 million). The resulting order backlog of CHF 115.6 million at the end of 2021 was 6.3% lower than that of the end of 2020. Mikron Automation posted EBIT of CHF 15.8 million (2020: CHF 9.1 million before restructuring costs) and an EBIT margin of 8.9% (2020: 5.6% before restructuring costs).

42% of Mikron Automation’s sales came from Europe, 42% from North America and 13% from Asia. The business segment again significantly strengthened its market position in the pharmaceutical and medical technology industry. 91% of sales came from this area in 2021.

Innovations and continuous improvements
In 2021, the Mikron Automation business segment systematically continued its various product development projects. The sustained demand from the pharmaceutical and medtech industries confirms the decision to expand the building in Boudry was the right one. Mikron officially opened its state-of-the-art Next Factory at the end of November. The 7,800 m² expansion gave the now 15,000 m² factory a completely new look: a Smart Office offers a collaborative and innovative working environment for the engineering of of customer projects. A new 3,900 m² hall is entirely dedicated to the fine-tuning and qualification of Mikron’s assembly solutions. Mikron Boudry has also completely reorganized the manufacturing processes and material flow.