Hella defies the recession: sales at 185 million euros despite decline!

Hella defies the recession: sales at 185 million euros despite decline!

The East Tyrolean family company Hella achieved a group sales of 185 million euros in 2024, which corresponds to a decline of 13.4 percent compared to the record year 2023. According to Dolomitenstadt Despite the decline, sales increased compared to the pre-Covid year 2019, which means an increase of 8 million euros.

Andreas Kraler, managing partner of the Hella Group, emphasizes that the construction industry has been in a recession since 2021 and the sun protection industry is feeling the effects delayed. In the first two quarters of 2024, Hella reached its sales goals, but the second half of the year did not deliver the expected results.

HR reduction and industry forecasts

As part of the adaptation measures, the company reduced its staff from 1,300 to 1,200 employees, which was mainly due to natural fluctuation and adaptation of the seasonal workers. Around half of total sales are generated in Germany. According to forecasts by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), a positive development of the construction industry in Germany is only expected for 2026, while a further decline in production is expected for 2025.

Kraler emphasizes the need for prudent management decisions in this challenging time. Hella does not want to get involved in a price war and remains loyal to his line as a premium provider. The company produces tailor -made products in Austria and Germany and, despite the difficult market situation, is optimistic about 2025, especially because of a strong large customer business.

international projects and order volume

For the current year, Hella can refer to major international projects already commissioned with a total order volume of 25 million euros. The sample projects include the "Vierlinden-Quartier" in Lindau on Lake Constance, which includes 13 apartment buildings and business and office buildings with 2,000 exhaust gates. In addition, the "Equalizer" office in Berlin is pending, which is equipped with 1,300 outer blinds from Hella.

The economic effects of the Covid 19 pandemic that many industries have met in the EU are still noticeable. The EU-Monitor Covid-19 indicates the serious consequences that the pandemic had on the economic situation. Despite the first recovery sign, the mood in the economic climate has deteriorated again since the beginning of the Ukraine War. This particularly affects retail and the construction industry, the two sectors affected by the crises.