Despite turbulent climatic, political and economic conditions, Lemken increased its turnover by 6% last year to €380 million.
With a turnover increase of 8%, Germany remains Lemken’s strongest performing market. Export sales remained at an unchanged 77%. France was the most significant market last year followed by Russia. Other important export markets include Canada, the US, Ukraine, Japan and Australia.
Sales results were generally positive for all product ranges and sales of ploughs, compact-disc harrows, drills and cultivators were equally successful. The company invested €8.5 million in its factories to free up space to make new product ranges. Staff levels grew by 165 to 1,635 last year, both due to the 49 employees taken over from Steketee and a significant growth in factory workers. Staff numbers also increased at Lemken India following a noticeable increase in sales of two and three-furrow ploughs.
Looking ahead, the family-run company forecasts another solid business year in 2019. Orders are currently good and there is a healthy demand for the latest products, which includes the Rubin 10 compact disc harrow, Diamant 16 semi-mounted plough, and a new six-furrow mounted version and 5800-litre seed trailer for the Azurit planter.
Lemken added hoeing equipment made by Dutch company Steketee to its portfolio last year and makes no secret of plans to use an adaption of the advanced camera system on a sprayer. Something for Agritechnica?
