R&M posted stronger results in fiscal year 2008 than in the previous year

The Swiss cabling specialist Reichle & De-Massari AG (R&M) ended fiscal 2008 with   sales of CHF 247 million, a figure 2.2 percent higher than in the previous year. EBIT    totaled 7 percent.

Reichle & De-Massari AG (R&M) is one of the world’s leading cable specialists and is repre-sented internationally by 30 marketing organizations. R&M continued the strong growth trend from 2007 in the first half of 2008, but sales increasingly felt the effects of the financial crisis in the second half of the year. Despite the recession, sales increased over the previous year by 2.2 percent to CHF 247 million. EBIT in 2008 stood at 7 percent. This figure was curbed by a voluntary contribution to the retirement fund to put it on a more solid footing. EBIT has aver-aged 10 percent over the past five years and confirms the solid growth the company has achieved.

Success in international markets

R&M made 78 percent of its sales abroad. The slight drop in total sales in structured building cabling (Private Networks) was more than offset by the healthy 18 percent growth in telecom sales (Public Networks).

Anti-cyclical investment policy

It is important to invest in the right projects to keep the company firmly positioned in the mar-ket even in difficult times. R&M invested 10 percent more than the year before in research and development, particularly in fiber optic technology. At the same time, it cut costs in other segments. The first management and logistics hub that was recently opened in Singapore will be followed over the next two years by four hubs in other regions. Along with this interna-tionalization, however, R&M is also counting firmly on Switzerland as a business location. In May 2008, the cornerstone was laid for a new company building in Wetzikon.

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Photo Gallery Fiscal Year 2008