Rietheim-Weilheim, Germany, April 12, 2022 - Despite the ongoing corona pandemic, material bottlenecks and rising prices, the Marquardt Group performed very well in the past fiscal year. The globally active family-owned company generated sales of just under 1.3 billion euros in 2021. This corresponds to an increase of more than 12 percent compared to 2020. The mechatronics specialist benefited in particular from e-mobility, the upgrading of vehicle interiors and the general trend towards greater comfort, sustainability and improved climate protection through more efficient products.
"The pandemic and the semiconductor crisis resulting from it, considerable increases in material and energy costs, and a very difficult ability to plan impacted our business in the past financial year. However, thanks to the high level of commitment, flexibility and perseverance of our employees, we were able to expand our position in global competition," said Dr. Harald Marquardt, Chief Executive Officer of the Management Board of the Marquardt Group. "It is particularly pleasing that we are achieving major growth with our product portfolio in important future fields. For example, our entry into e-mobility years ago is increasingly paying off: We are not running behind the development, but are intensively shaping the mobility turnaround at the forefront."
E-Mobility: Major Order for New Business Unit
Marquardt bundled its competencies in the field of e-mobility in the "Power & Energy Solutions" business unit at the beginning of 2021, thus setting the course for accelerated growth in the coming years. In the reporting period, sales increased by a double-digit percentage compared to the previous year. Marquardt received another major order for high-voltage boxes for electrically powered premium vehicles; sales over the term are in the high three-digit million Euro range. In addition, there were extensive projects for battery management systems from customers in Europe and Asia.
New Driving Authorization System: The Smartphone as a Key
Marquardt generated more than three quarters of its sales with the Automotive business unit in 2021. Growth drivers included the S³ capacitive door handle sensor, which offers unprecedented functional reliability even in damp and wet conditions and is therefore extremely popular with customers in Asia and Europe. Marquardt was also successful in the series start-up of new control panels for the center consoles of premium vehicles. In addition, the company won new customers, particularly in Asia, with its innovative "Push and Drive 3" drive authorization system. The PnD3 platform makes access to passenger cars and commercial vehicles suitable for mass use via smartphone, among other things; the secure transfer of the digital key also opens up new offers and business models for fleet managers, car-sharing providers and car rental companies.
Innovative Products for More Energy Efficiency
In the past fiscal year, the Switches, Sensors & Controls business unit benefited from battery management systems for commercial vehicles and control units for construction and agricultural machinery. Marquardt also won further orders with its electronic locking system "E-Lock" which improves the safe charging process of vehicles with electric or plug-in hybrid drives. Marquardt also helped to shape the development of sustainable and climate-friendly products for private households in the area of building technology: For example, the mechatronics expert developed a robust ultrasonic flow sensor that sustainably increases efficiency in the control of heat pumps. In the field of power tools, the company convinced renowned customers with new control systems that are characterized by a particularly compact design and increased service life.
Company for Test Equipment and Plant Engineering Founded
In order to open up new markets, Marquardt founded a new technology company last year: MARQ4 Automation develops and builds highly automated assembly and testing systems that are used in the automotive industry, the electronics sector, by medical technology manufacturers and in other branches of industry. 60 engineers, technicians and designers are currently working for MARQ4 Automation.
High Investments Made in Research and Development
Despite the difficult environment and increased cost pressure, Marquardt has made numerous investments in its sites, in research and development, and in further transformation. The company opened a technology factory at its German headquarters in Rietheim-Weilheim. Using state-of-the-art equipment and processes, new manufacturing technologies and materials for the family-owned company's global series production are tested, qualified and improved there. Products include highly integrated user interfaces and displays for vehicle interiors. Expenditure on research and development again amounted to an above-average 10 percent of sales in fiscal year 2021. In the reporting period, the mechatronics specialist applied for 105 new patents and industrial property rights, more than ever before in a single business year.
Sustainability Report Published in Accordance with GRI Standard
Marquardt further expanded its sustainability management (CSR) in the past fiscal year. On the basis of a materiality analysis, the family-owned company defined human rights, climate and environmental protection, product and data integrity, sustainable supply chains, and data protection as focal points. Marquardt reports on its initiatives in its Sustainability Report, which was prepared and published for the first time last year in accordance with the internationally recognized Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard. The numerous measures implemented by Marquardt in 2021 include CO2 reduction, for example through the use of green electricity, and the reduction of electricity consumption.
Additional Jobs Created in Software Development
As of December 31, 2021, the Marquardt Group employed around 10,200 people worldwide, including around 1,300 engineers. The company had to adjust its personnel structure at several locations and reduced overcapacities. The measures were necessary, among other things, due to the shortage of parts and the associated production downtime. Marquardt, on the other hand, has created new jobs, particularly in software development, in order to successfully shape the transformation and technological change with highly integrated mechatronic system solutions. To cope with its planned growth, the company is looking for qualified specialists worldwide: The mechatronics specialist currently offers more than 400 open positions, mostly in the higher-qualified area.
In Germany, 23 young people started an apprenticeship or dual university studies at Marquardt in the past year. In total, the family-owned company trains more than 200 employees in 15 apprenticeship professions, particularly at its headquarters and at several international locations.
Outlook: Difficult to Plan for 2022 - Major Growth Potential in the Long Term
"The current business year remains challenging. We assume that the semiconductor crisis, material bottlenecks and the resulting difficulty in planning will accompany us until at least 2023," says Dr. Harald Marquardt. "Added to this is Putin's war of aggression on Ukraine, which we condemn in the strongest terms. In addition to the great human suffering caused by Vladimir Putin's invasion, the war is also bringing massive economic dislocation, the full extent of which cannot be foreseen at this point. Also, the handling of the Corona pandemic in China has implications that we cannot yet overlook. Against this background, we are only cautiously optimistic for the current fiscal year despite a very good order situation overall. In the long term, however, we have every reason to be very confident. As a mechatronic systems supplier, Marquardt is represented in future fields that make people's lives safer, more comfortable and more sustainable. We expect our company to grow significantly in the coming years, well above the industry average."