Volvo CE has benefited from a strong performance for 2019, with record financial results. The firm has also seen its market share grow in the world’s largest construction market, China. For the full year the company saw sales rise 5%, despite a slight sales dip in the fourth quarter.
In Q4 2019, net sales decreased by 3% to SEK 19.716 billion, compared with SEK 20.323 billion for the same period in 2018. Meanwhile operating income amounted to SEK 1.931 billion compared with SEK 2.157 billion in 2018. This corresponded to an operating margin of 9.8% compared with 10.6% for 2018. Earnings were positively impacted by currency movements, to the value of SEK 113 million.
For the full year net sales increased by 5%, to SEK 88.606 million, against SEK 84.238 billion for 2018. Adjusted operating income increased to SEK 11.91 billion compared with SEK 11.306 billion for 2018, equivalent to an operating margin of 13.4%.
Demand in Europe improved during the fourth quarter, and was up 6% by the end of November, helped by continued growth in Germany, Italy, France and Russia. North America was also up by 6% over the same period in 2018, helped by greater demand for larger equipment, while South America saw a gain of 17%, driven mostly from growth in Brazil. Excluding China, Asian markets were down by 11% compared to last year. The Chinese market continued to grow, and was up 8%, with increased demand for both excavators and wheeled loaders.
During the fourth quarter of 2019 Volvo CE saw net order intake increase by 6%, driven by good demand for SDLG branded machines in China and Russia. Order intake in Europe declined by 5%, despite a strong increase in Russia. North America saw order intake jump by 40%. In Asia (excluding China), order intake was down by 17%, while in China it was up by 14%. Volvo CE continues to gain market share in both wheeled loaders and excavators in China.
Deliveries increased by 4% during the fourth quarter 2019, boosted by higher volumes in China and Russia on SDLG products.“2019 was another year of good performance on several levels,” says Melker Jernberg, president of Volvo CE. “We gained market share in the larger equipment category in North America and in Europe saw good developments in sales, operating income and cash flow. Asia has had its challenges, but in China we see encouraging market share growth in large excavators and wheeled loaders, which is good to see.”
In February 2020 Volvo CE will start taking orders for both electric compact wheeled loaders and compact excavators. Serial production is planned for Q3 2020.
