Wienerberger achieves record results in 2021

Highlights 2021

• Group Revenues increased by 18% to almost € 4.0 billion
  
• Significant 24% EBITDA growth to € 694 million
• Position in core markets strengthened through targeted acquisitions
• CO2 emissions reduced by 8% compared to 2020
• Net profit € 311million (2020: € 89 million)
• Proposed dividend for 2021: € 0.75 per share (25% increase on prior year)

Strategy and outlook for 2022

• Consistent continuation of our sustainable growth strategy
  
• Further improvement of ESG performance
• EBITDA in 2022 to increase by 12 - 15 % to € 750 - 770 million

Vienna – The Wienerberger Group looks back on 2021 as the most successful year in the company’s history. Wienerberger’s focus on innovative, digital and sustainable system solutions has enabled it to deliver excellent performance and strong organic growth across all business units, despite challenging market conditions.

The past year was marked by major challenges: geopolitical instability, macroeconomic conditions, and the COVID pandemic resulted in raw material and energy supply bottlenecks and significant price increases by up to 50%. Nevertheless, Wienerberger was able to consistently meet its delivery obligations through effective supply chain management, and to manage the inflation-related cost increases through proactive cost management. At the same time, Wienerberger strengthened its position as a reliable partner for its customers in a difficult environment and generated strong organic growth.

In 2021, external revenues increased by 18% to almost € 4.0 billion (2020: € 3.4 billion). Proactive margin management and strict cost discipline drove an EBITDA increase of 24% to € 694 million (2020: € 558 million) over the same period.

Strong performance demonstrates resilience across all Business Units

Wienerberger Building Solutions Business Unit generated revenues of € 2.3 billion (2020: € 2.1 billion). At € 473 million, EBITDA LFL was 15% above the previous year’s level (2020: € 412 million). For the Wienerberger Piping Solutions Business Unit, proactive margin management and strict cost discipline resulted in improved operational performance. With revenues of € 1.2 billion (+25% compared to 2020), EBITDA LFL increased by 15% to € 115 million. The North America Business Unit reported a 53% increase in revenues to € 499 million, with EBITDA LFL up by 76% to € 83 million.

Clear ESG targets and strong ESG track record

“The climate crisis is a fact, and only with determined sustainability goals and decisive action can we shape a future worth living. Within the framework of our award-winning Sustainability Program 2023, we have set ourselves clear ESG targets for decarbonization, the circular economy, and biodiversity. We will continue to pursue our value-accretive growth trajectory, while supporting the European Green Deal”, emphasizes Heimo Scheuch. With an innovative product portfolio, new application technologies, and the decarbonization of production processes, Wienerberger has already outperformed its own ESG targets. Part of the ambitious Sustainability Program 2023 is the reduction of CO2 emissions by 15% compared to 2020. In 2021, the company has reduced its CO2 emissions by 8% compared to 2020. Moreover, Wienerberger will ensure that by 2023, all newly developed products will be 100% recyclable or reusable. At the same time, Wienerberger’s focus on circularity has resulted in an increase in the proportion of secondary and recycled raw materials utilized. Furthermore, Wienerberger has developed its own catalogue of biodiversity measures, which are to be implemented at all of Wienerberger’s production sites by 2023.

Dividend increase and outlook 2022

In line with its long-term dividend policy, Wienerberger paid out a dividend of € 0.60 per share in 2021. Based on the strong business development in 2021, the Managing Board will propose to the Annual General Meeting that a 25% higher dividend of € 0.75 per share be distributed in 2022 for the past business year.

Looking towards 2022, Wienerberger expects the prevailing macroeconomic conditions to remain. Factors to be taken into account include the continued unstable geopolitical situation and persistent restrictions and supply bottlenecks in the raw material markets, not least due to the COVID pandemic. The strong increase in cost inflation is to be covered through appropriate price adjustments. Wienerberger is well positioned to do so thanks to robust supply chain structures and a forward-looking energy procurement policy. Wienerberger is determined to continue to deliver strong organic growth ahead of its underlying markets in 2022 thanks to its excellent positioning and its innovative and sustainable portfolio of solutions. Wienerberger expects sales volumes to remain at 2021 levels on account of consistently strong demand across the renovation, water and energy management, and new build markets.

Wienerberger expects to continue to increase profitability through further self-help measures and portfolio expansion. In 2022, Wienerberger expects to spend € 135 million on the maintenance of its industrial base and deploy € 160 million for organic growth investments. Additionally, Wienerberger is analyzing a pipeline of attractive growth projects focused on renovation, water and energy management. For 2022, the company has set itself the target of increasing EBITDA by 12-15% to € 750 - 770 million.

Wienerberger will publish its full 2021 Annual Report on March 28, 2022.  

The webcast of the presentation of the results can be accessed at 9:00 am CET on February 23, 2022 on www.wienerberger.com.