Despite a sluggish start, business improved during the second half of 2017 and SDF achieved a year end turnover of €1.325 billion – down 3% on 2016.
The European market was generally stable and while Mediterranean countries showed signs of being more active, SDF reckons last year was a difficult one year in China where the reduction in government subsidies saw demand for new machines fall by a third. New protectionist measures also affected business in Turkey.
SDF’s Indian subsidiary closed 2017 with a 75% increase in units sold compared to 2016. The turnover of the French made Grégoire grape harvesters increased by 12% and Deutz-Fahr managed to grow its combine harvester business by 11%.
Total SDF investments in 2017 were €70 million. The most significant ones were €23 million for new product development, €15 million to complete the new Deutz-Fahr plant in Lauingen, Germany, and €7 million to finish the last phase of renewing the assembly lines in Treviglio, Italy.
