Datwyler earnings rebound on healthcare unit gains

Altdorf, Switzerland – Elastomer-based products maker Datwyler has posted a 15.7% year-on-year increase in earnings (adjusted EBIT) for full-year 2025 to CHF136.6  million (€149.7 million), on sales down 0.6% at CHF 1,100.5 million.

Factoring in negative currency effects of 3.7%, sales grew organically by 3.1%, added the Swiss group. EBIT margin rose to 12.4% – versus a prior-year 10.7% when adjusted for rationalisation measures.

Datwyler linked the improved profitability to “economies of scale in its healthcare business, improved product-mix, and sustained contribution to earnings from the ForwardNow transformation program” started in 2024.

Under the revamp plan, the group “systematically developed” its project pipeline to focus more on premium products and services for key global customers, while implementing “significant” optimisations within the company.

When adjusted for currency effects, the healthcare division increased sales by 8.1% to CHF462.7 million, helped by a recovery in customer demand especially in the second half, noted the group's 12 Feb announcement.

Business development was also supported by high-value project starts, including spray-coated NeoFlex plungers for pre-filled syringes and components for a weight-reduction drug.

The share of products and services in the high-value segment increased to 35% of sales, while across future customer projects in development and industrialisation, the proportion reached around 70%.

Profitability at the healthcare unit improved significantly, supported by higher capacity utilisation, a more favourable product-mix, and targeted efficiency measures.

Adjusted EBIT, thereby, increased by 28.3% year-on-year to CHF79.3 million, lifting margins to 17.1% compared to a prior-year 13.9%, with the gains predominantly delivered in the second half of 2025.

Datwyler’s industrial division, meanwhile, maintained posted operating revenue of CHF642.8 million compared to CHF664.8 million in 2024. Taking currency effects into account, this corresponded to a decline of -3.3%.

While demand in the automotive and industrial markets in Europe and the US remained subdued, business in China continued to show positive development, the group reported.

Indeed, Datwyler said its Chinese automotive business grew to now account for over a third of automotive sales, helped by project wins in areas such as air suspension, brake-by-wire systems, thermal management and connectors.

Meanwhile, it added, “the merger of two business units to form a transportation & electronics unit, structural measures and the relocation of activities from the Vandalia site improved cost and capital efficiency.”

In the food & beverage segment, Datwyler expanded its capacities for the production of aluminium coffee capsules, amid operational and cost-management measures in response to a highly challenging market environment.

EBIT at the unit, thereby, increased to CHF57.3 million, versus an adjusted prior-year result of CHF56.3 million), while adjusted EBIT margin increased by 0.4 percentage points to 8.9%.

At its general industry unit, Datwyler said an increased focus on target markets such as energy, aerospace and medical devices resulted in new orders and initial revenues with new customers.

Regarding the outlook for 2026, the group expects annual organic sales growth “in the higher single-digit percentage range and an EBIT margin of over 17%.

"Despite ongoing geopolitical and trade policy uncertainties, Datwyler is confident that it will continue increasing revenue and profitability.”

The Healthcare division, it added, “remains the key growth driver, supported by the further ramp-up of new series projects, rising volumes in existing customer programs and additional economies of scale.”