Despite difficult conditions in the agricultural machinery sector Pöttinger managed to increase its turnover by 2% to €308 million during the 2016/2017 financial year. Accounting for 58% (5%+) of last year’s sales, the grassland sector remains the most important for the Austrian family firm, which blames suppressed grain prices for the slight drop in demand for tillage equipment and seed drills (27% of turnover). Compared to the previous year, the original spare parts business made a positive 5%+ contribution.
International markets are central to Pöttinger’s success and exports made up around €270 million (88%) of total turnover. The top five countries where sales increased – in terms of absolute figures for machinery sales compared to the year before – are the Ukraine, Great Britain, Sweden, Australia and the Czech Republic. Approximately 60% of sales is achieved in six countries: Germany (18%), Austria (12%), the Czech Republic, Switzerland, the Ukraine and France, which with 13% of total sales, is one of the largest and most important individual markets.
Looking ahead, the company continues to invest in its production sites, and a new Austrian harvest equipment production plant is being planned in St. Georgen near Grieskirchen. The first phase of the facility is expected to start production sometime 2021.
