NORMA Group generated Group sales of €284.2 million in the first quarter of financial year 2025 in a difficult market environment. This corresponds to a decrease of 7.9% compared to the prior-year quarter. Currency effects had a positive impact of 1.3% on sales development.
Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes was €10.3 million for the period, a year-on-year decline of over 59%. In addition to the decline in sales and low cost flexibility, increased expenses incurred for the introduction of an IT system at a large plant were a major reason for the decline in profitability. Net operating cash flow was €3.1 million from January to March 2025, a significant improvement compared to the figure from the same quarter of the previous year.
CEO Mark Wilhelms: “We faced an extraordinarily challenging quarter. Uncertainty in the global economy led to weak demand and one-time items had a negative impact on our result. Our business performance did improve, however, over the course of the quarter and I expect the market environment to gradually pick up in the second half of the year. We therefore maintain our forecast for full-year 2025. NORMA Group will consistently move ahead on its path toward becoming a focused industrial supplier.”
Development in the business regions reflects uncertainties
In the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa), sales were down 12.2% at €119.9 million in the first quarter of 2025. Mobility & New Energy recorded a significant decline in sales in the period from January to March 2025 as a result of persistently weak demand from the automotive industry. As of financial year 2025, NORMA Group is now allocating customers in the construction and agricultural machinery and stationary power supply industries to the Industry Applications business unit to better serve customer requirements (previously: Mobility & New Energy). Due to this change, Industry Applications recorded slight nominal growth, while organic sales in this business unit declined as a result of the general economic downturn.
Transformation into a focused industrial supplier in 2025
NORMA Group will continue to position itself as a focused industrial supplier in the 2025 financial year. To this end, the company is developing a detailed package of measures that will be implemented in addition to the ongoing “Step Up” program. The measures are intended to advance growth plans in the Industry Applications business unit, reduce administrative costs and optimise site capacities. The divestment process for the Water Management business unit, initiated at the end of 2024, will be continued. The aim of the transformation is to focus NORMA Group on its core business with high-quality joining technology and to position the company for sustainable profitable growth. The transformation is to be completed by the end of 2028.
NORMA Group’s Annual General Meeting will take place on May 13, 2025.
