Berner Group in positive territory

Berner Group in positive territory

The Berner Group's sales in the past 2022/2023 financial year were 8.4% higher than the previous year and reached 1.174 billion euros. The Berner Group was able to further increase its sales in the first few months of the current financial year. However, the pace of growth has slowed due to the generally challenging conditions, especially in the construction industry (including interest rate increases and persistent inflation). "Many strategic decisions and investments in recent years are having an impact. We are now in a much more robust position and are growing continuously and profitably," says Christian Berner, CEO of the Berner Group.

Berner offers professional tradesmen across Europe products and service solutions in the automotive, construction and industrial segments. "Business in the areas of mobility and industry has developed well. Here we see increases of around 10 percent," says Arthur Jaunich, who is responsible for sales and marketing on the board. The Berner Group was able to record above-average growth dynamics in all three segments in the area of ​​key accounts. New service and ordering concepts such as chemical service management or individualized eProcurement solutions have lastingly impressed major customers, enabling growth rates of between 18 and 27% to be achieved. The subsidiary Caramba, which operates in the specialty chemicals business area, achieved an increase in sales of over 30% in the financial year that ended. 

The approximately 5,100 sales employees who are in direct contact with customers every day are still responsible for the majority of sales. Despite difficult conditions in recruiting skilled workers, the Berner Group was able to increase the number of employees by almost 5%. With digitalization, which began in 2015, the B2B wholesaler also responded to changing customer behavior and set up alternative sales channels parallel to the field sales team. In 2022/23, Berner and BTI by Berner already generated almost a third of sales via eCommerce, tele-sales and depots. For comparison: in 2016, the share of these alternative channels in total sales was still around 12%. Sales in eCommerce alone increased in double digits (17%) for the fourth time in a row in the past financial year. The strategy launched three years ago to open depots in metropolitan areas where tradesmen can receive advice, service and products has also continued to develop well. In recent months, six new depots have been opened in Spain, France (2), Latvia, Italy and the Netherlands. In total there are now around 60 depots across Europe. Sales increased by more than 33% compared to the previous year.