Banner with solid financial year - and skepticism about the future

Banner with solid financial year - and skepticism about the future

Banner is proud of two figures: In the 2021/22 financial year (from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022) they achieved sales of 286 million euros and sold 4.2 million batteries. 

But Banner is also feeling the effects of the difficult situation for the automotive supply industry: The original equipment market segment is currently declining and making a loss due to turbulence such as a lack of semiconductors and cable harnesses as well as rising energy and raw material costs. "In this segment in particular, prices have to be raised significantly, but this is being prevented by the automobile manufacturers. The supplier industry would expect significantly greater support here. However, it is more important for the automobile manufacturers to convince shareholders with record profits, at the great expense of the supplier industry, which is fighting for survival," emphasizes Andreas Bawart, commercial director of the Banner Group. The share of original equipment manufacturers in the Automotive business unit is currently just under 30 percent, with the rest being covered by the aftermarket segment.

The entire automotive industry is characterized by profound global changes. The Banner Group was still able to assert itself with an increase in sales and sales. “The decisive factor for the positive development is the strong demand for our quality products in North America and Asia,” explains Andreas Bawart. With double-digit growth on the Iberian Peninsula and the Far East, Banner will continue to underline its strength in the export economy in 2021/22. Ongoing challenges in Turkey led to a reduction in activities; in Russia these were stopped completely.

However, they are particularly satisfied with the developments in Portugal: Thanks to a new sales structure, sales of Banner batteries doubled in the past financial year.

In order to be able to adapt production capacities to increasing sales, more than 30 million euros have been invested in the development of the location in Leonding over the past three years. “Optimization of order-related production, future-proof planning and logistics capacities and, above all, the digitalization and permanent improvement of our processes were and are the focus,” emphasizes Andreas Bawart.

In addition, a location in Thalheim near Wels was opened in June 2021 specifically for the new Energy Solutions business unit. Around ten million euros were invested in the further development of the production of traction and standby energy storage solutions. The focus is on securing existing jobs and expanding capacities. The company currently employs around 805 people across Europe.

Starter and electrical system batteries will continue to be Banner's core business. The goal here is to specifically gain market share in the aftermarket: "It has never been as uncertain as it is today. The general conditions are risky and many influencing factors accompany our everyday work. Nevertheless, we want to grow in our current business areas and are planning growth of around 200,000 batteries," emphasizes Andreas Bawart. “Accordingly, we will deepen existing collaborations and open up new opportunities in Europe, overseas and Asia,” sums up Bawart and looks positively into the future despite far-reaching changes in the automotive industry.