Media Info Linz, April 21, 2011
Record investments keep Banner on a growth course • • • • •
Starter battery sales pass the 4 million mark for the first time AGM batteries for start/stop vehicles in great demand Record sales revenues of EUR 225 million from all business areas Over EUR 20 million invested in the Linz-Leonding production centre Banner Turkey becomes the company’s fifteenth sales subsidiary
Banner can look back on a successful 2010/11 financial year. Sales of starter batteries, which constitute the company’s most important business area, passed the four million mark for the first time. Moreover, as a result of the great demand for environment-friendly batteries for start/stop vehicles, sales revenues rose by over 10 per cent to EUR 225 million. It should be added that an ongoing investment programme at the Linz-Leonding location, involving more than EUR 20 million, is laying the foundations for a successful prolongation of the company’s policy of continuous growth, which is also mirrored by the opening up of new markets such as Turkey. During the past financial year 2010/11 (April 1, 2010 – March 31, 2011), Banner was able to sell four million starter batteries for the first time. This figure represented an increase of 200,000 over the preceding year. Business with automotive manufacturers developed in a highly positive manner, especially with regard to the demand for environment-friendly batteries for start/stop vehicles. Banner is now already supplying its innovative AGM batteries to Audi, BMW, VW and Volvo and the OEM sector currently provides a total of 30 per cent of all starter battery sales revenues. The main contribution to sales revenues derives from replacement batteries. In November and December 2010 alone, the Austrian battery producer sold over 800,000 starter batteries, which was 20 per cent more than originally planned. Above all, Banner profited from the unusually low temperatures in western and northern Europe and in order to cope with this high demand for the company’s starter batteries, with the exception of the official holidays, full production continued throughout the Christmas season and the New Year break. Moreover, a further battery assembly line with a potential of 2,500 units/day went into operation in October. Andreas Bawart, the Banner commercial CEO: “Additional production capacity has been created in order to counteract supply shortages. These measures have only been possible due to our committed and extremely flexible employees. We have the full support of our workforce for which we are genuinely grateful.” In the past financial year, the drive and stationary battery area also enjoyed record business with sales growth of some 30 per cent as compared to the previous twelve Contact: Günther Lemmerer, Marketing and PR Banner GmbH Banner Strasse 1;4021 Linz-Leonding (A) Tel. +43/(0)732/38 88 – 21550; Fax Ext. 61550 Mobile +43/(0)676/873 81 550 E-mail: guenther.lemmerer@bannerbatterien.com www.bannerbatterien.com
Media Info months. This was due to the significant revival in investment in Europe during 2010, especially in the traction area (stackers, lifting platforms, etc.). Total business area sales revenues in the 2010/11 financial year amounted to EUR 225 million, which represented company growth of more than 10 per cent as compared to the previous year. The product mix had a positive effect on sales, due to a marked increase in the number of high-quality starter batteries sold, especially in the AGM and commercial vehicle segments. Andreas Bawart: “I am satisfied with our performance during the 2010/11 financial year. We can now reap the benefits of our development work in the area of environment-friendly, start-stop batteries and achieve healthy expansion in our main business areas.” Banner’s single production plant in Linz-Leonding, Upper Austria, almost constantly operates at full capacity. At the same time, the family-owned starter battery specialist has adopted a policy of growth and as a consequence during 2010 and 2011, an unparalleled sum of more than EUR 20 million is to be invested in additional plant and storage space. This spending has already resulted in the fact that some 20 per cent more production capacity is now available, which above all is needed for the environment-friendly AGM battery for start/stop vehicles. The related production volumes in 2011 will be virtually double those of 2010. As at March 31, 2011, the Banner Group had a workforce of 740 (30 people more than in 2009/10). New personnel has been recruited in Linz-Leonding as a result of the new battery assembly line and additional AGS sales and service staff have been employed on the commercial side. In the meantime, Banner has its own sales companies or importers in all European countries and in June 2011 the fifteenth banner sales subsidiary will become operative in Turkey. Furthermore, this year will see an intensification of sales activities in North Africa, the Near and Middle East. Banner’s growth strategy is also supported by additional product innovations. For example, since last winter Banner has been marketing the Power Bull GENERATION 2011, which was specially developed for the demands of modern cars and which is characterised by improved storage capacity. Moreover, in May, production of the Buffalo Bull SHD PROfessional commenced, which is a new top product for commercial vehicles. Andreas Bawart: “We estimate that the European starter battery market will become more stable during the year. In the OEM sector, parts of the European automotive industry are continuing to look to AGM batteries for start/stop vehicles, in order to reContact: Günther Lemmerer, Marketing and PR Banner GmbH Banner Strasse 1;4021 Linz-Leonding (A) Tel. +43/(0)732/38 88 – 21550; Fax Ext. 61550 Mobile +43/(0)676/873 81 550 E-mail: guenther.lemmerer@bannerbatterien.com www.bannerbatterien.com
Media Info duce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. The potential for replacement batteries is stagnating in the car segment, but should improve in the transport and industrial area due to the economic recovery.” Andreas Bawart is also optimistic about the coming twelve months: “Our efforts during this year will focus on a continuation of the investment programme at our production centre. We intend to further expand our capacity, in order to be able to implement our ongoing growth strategy.” Photo index: 1) Record investments. In 2010-2011, Banner investment an unprecedented sum of over EUR 20 million in its Linz-Leonding production centre. 2) Executive management. The Banner CEOs, Thomas (l.) and Andreas Bawart can reflect on a successful 2010/11 financial year. All photos: Banner GmbH, reprints free. A reference copy is requested. Banner GmbH is an innovative, steadily expanding producer of top quality starter batteries. The company, which is based in Leonding, Austria, has been manufacturing batteries for all types of vehicles since 1937. The family-owned firm, which is headed by Andreas Bawart and Thomas Bawart, employs a workforce of around 740 across Europe. Banner produces and sells over 4.0 million starter batteries annually and thus numbers among the oldest, most experienced and important brands in the battery production field. Banner batteries are used for the first fitting of numerous models from von BMW, Mitsubishi, Skoda, Volvo, VW, Kässbohrer, Liebherr, Caterpillar, MAN and Jungheinrich. In Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, the UK, Denmark, Poland, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey dealers are served via Group sales companies with a total of 29 branches. Moreover, Banner products are sold in more than 40 European, African and Asian states via direct importers. Future-oriented technology and outstanding quality underline the international reputation of these exemplary products with “buffalo power”, which are also characterised by the Banner logo. Further information and photos are available under: www.bannerbatterien.com
Contact: Günther Lemmerer, Marketing and PR Banner GmbH Banner Strasse 1;4021 Linz-Leonding (A) Tel. +43/(0)732/38 88 – 21550; Fax Ext. 61550 Mobile +43/(0)676/873 81 550 E-mail: guenther.lemmerer@bannerbatterien.com www.bannerbatterien.com