Austrian fittings manufacturer Blum has reported a 6.3% increase in turnover for its 2024/25 financial year, reaching €2.44 billion (£2.11bn).
With a rise of €144 million (£125m) year-on-year, the result marks a return to growth for the family-owned company after two years of slight declines.
Managing director Philipp Blum attributed the performance to two specific factors – a rise in sales volumes across all product groups, and the first-time inclusion of Belgian subsidiary Van Hoecke in group turnover.
“We were able to reverse the trend and increase sales volumes for all our product groups over the last 12 months,” said Philipp Blum. He added that the REVEGO pocket system, Blum’s newest product line, had “also performed well”.
Van Hoecke, which became part of the Blum Group in July 2024, serves Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. “Our subsidiary Van Hoecke was included in the turnover for the first time,” Philipp Blum confirmed.
The company generated 45% of its turnover in Europe, 15% in the US and 40% in other global markets. “Although many markets are on the up, there are still numerous challenges,” said co-managing director Martin Blum. He cited positive developments in the US, Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific, while describing the Chinese market as “tense”.
Blum continued to invest during the financial year, committing €185m (£160m) mainly at its Vorarlberg sites. “These investments clearly demonstrate our commitment to Vorarlberg as a business hub,” said Martin Blum.
The group ended the year with 9,846 employees worldwide and continues to prioritise vocational training, with over 400 apprentices currently in Austria, the US, Poland and China.
Commenting on wider market conditions, Philipp Blum called for more supportive European policy. “We need a European Union which is once again guided more by the spirit of its founding principle,” he said, urging action on “raw material and energy prices, supply reliability and company regulations”.
Looking ahead, both managing directors voiced caution. “This positive development should not deflect from the fact that we need to tackle several challenges – in particular, the rapidly rising costs of raw materials and staff,” said Philipp Blum.
“Only when the ratio of turnover to costs reaches a healthy level, can we invest in our company over the long term,” added Martin Blum.
The positive results came after the year when Blum UK announced a brand new leadership team last July, which included the appointment of new managing director, Matthew Glanfield.