Growth at Horsch and a positive outlook

Horsch turnover increased 5.6% to €245.8 million in 2015. The second most successful year in the company’s history (record was €253 million in 2013), seed drills accounted for 43% of worldwide sales and cultivation kit 32%. The company’s crop sprayer business continues to increase and now represents 10% of sales, with the remaining 15% coming from spare parts. Horsch exports 71% of its products with France its largest market after Germany. Drill sales increased in Russia and the Ukraine, and Poland has developed into an important market followed by Great Britain, which had another successful year. Growth was also seen in Denmark and other Scandinavian countries as well as Bulgaria, Romania, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The company continues to develop its presence in China and has founded a subsidiary in Brazil, and despite the difficult market situation in the US, Horsch LLC continues to grow. Horsch made a number of significant investments last year. This includes a new training and marketing building at Schwandorf, and a €1.5 million investment has almost doubled the production area of the centre for plant protection at the Landau site. In Russia, a new assembly hall and paint shop will be added sometime soon.