Repayment of bond issued in 2017
Uzwil (Switzerland), December 22, 2022 – The Swiss technology group Bühler announces the repayment of the first tranche of a dual-tranche bond in the amount of CHF 180 million. In 2017, the company raised CHF 420 million through the issue of a dual-tranche Swiss franc denominated senior bond (CHF 180 million Tranche A, CHF 240 million Tranche B) to accelerate its growth plans and expand its investment and acquisition capabilities. It was the first time in its 160-year history that Bühler raised capital on the financial markets.
The repayment of the bond is an important milestone and was achieved while the company continued to fully execute its investment strategy, focusing on innovations, research and training centers, and new partnerships. Despite the uncertain and volatile environment faced in prior years, including the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, Bühler was able to further strengthen its financial position and liquidity.
Bühler decided in 2017 to raise capital on the financial markets in the form of a CHF 420 million dual-tranche bond in order to benefit from unique market opportunities. This enabled the company to finance its growth by investing into its global production and innovation network, as well as acquire the Austrian Haas Group, a world market leader in wafer-, biscuit-, and confectionery-production systems. The combined solution and product portfolio of Bühler and Haas has since proven to be a major competitive advantage.
“The proceeds from the bond allowed us to successfully accomplish the Haas acquisition, to continue the modernization of our production sites, to build the CUBIC innovation campus in Uzwil, and to expand our global sales and services network,” says Stefan Scheiber, CEO of Bühler Group.
“Thanks to our diligent liquidity management we were able to repay the first tranche of the bond and at the same time retain our full strategic flexibility for growth and innovation,” says Mark Macus, CFO of Bühler Group.
Bühler’s continued strong financial position enables the company to remain independent in the long term and to invest in new solutions and services for the benefit of its customers. The second tranche of the bond of CHF 240 million is due in December 2026. The bond is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Media contacts:
Burkhard Böndel, Head of Corporate Communications
Bühler AG, 9240 Uzwil, Switzerland
Phone: +41 71 955 33 99
Mobile: +41 79 515 91 57
E-mail: burkhard.boendel@buhlergroup.com
About Bühler
Bühler is driven by its purpose of creating innovations for a better world, balancing the needs of economy, humanity, and nature. As a relevant solution partner for the food and mobility industries, Bühler is committed to have solutions ready to multiply by 2025 at the latest that will reduce energy, waste, and water by 50% in its customers’ value chains. Billions of people come into contact with Bühler technologies as they cover their basic needs for food and mobility every day. Two billion people each day enjoy foods produced on Bühler equipment; and one billion people travel in vehicles manufactured using parts produced with Bühler technology. Countless people wear eyeglasses, use smart phones, and read newspapers and magazines – all of which depend on Bühler process technologies and solutions. Having this global relevance, Bühler is in a unique position to turn today’s global challenges into sustainable business. Bühler contributes to safely feeding the world and is doing its part to protect the climate, producing solutions that make cars, buildings, and machinery more energy efficient.
Bühler invests up to 5% of turnover into research and development. In 2021, some 12,500 employees generated a turnover of CHF 2.7 billion. As a Swiss family-owned company, Bühler is active in 140 countries around the world and operates a global network of 103 service stations, 30 manufacturing sites, and Application & Training Centers in 24 countries.
www.buhlergroup.com
