NEWS
Wienerberger sees sales rise as profits dip
Wienerberger of Austria reported higher sales but a drop in profits last year. It reported sales of €4.5
billion, a 6% rise on the previous year. At the same time, EBITDA declined by around 6% to €760 million. The company said the drop in profits was down to “non-recurring negative effects” – the sale of its Russian business and restructuring measures of €80m.
“Despite a challenging
market environment, particular in the new residential housing seg- ment, we maintained robust margins through disciplined cost management and operational efficiency,” said Heimo Scheuch, CEO of Wienerberger. Sales in Western Europe
rose 14% to around €2.5bn, though profits fell more than 7%. In countries such as Germany, France and
Sales and profits in Eastern Europe were flat, at €1.2bn and €219m, respec- tively. While the new-build market in the region remained challenging, positive signs were seen in some markets, driven by government-backed subsidies in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.
Scheuch: “We maintained robust margins through disciplined cost management and efficiency”
Belgium, the anticipated recovery of the new residen- tial housing markets did not materialise as anticipated, it said, while high interest rates and inflation-driven con- struction costs continued to affect demand. In Scandina- via, the company strength- ened its position in smart water management by acquiring Slatek in Finland and Tekken in Norway.
Sales in North America
fell around 5%, with profits down around 10%. Long- term housing demand remained robust, and pipe business performed well, supported by sustained demand for water manage- ment solutions, it said. If end markets show stable development in 2025 and interest rates are cut further, Wienerberger expects an operating EBITDA of around €800m – slightly ahead of the 2024 result. �
www.wienerberger.com
Azek posts improved
results Azek, a US-based manu- facturer of plastic decking, reported a 5% increase in sales last year, to US$1.44 billion. This produced a net
profit of US$153m – an increase of 146% com- pared to the previous year, it said. This was buoyed by
residential segment sales increasing 12% to US$1.37 billion, and deck, rail and accessories growing 18%. “We delivered strong financial results that reflect our team’s focus on consistently delivering growth and margin expansion,” said Jesse Singh, CEO of Azek. For 2025, Azek expects
residential segment sales in the range of US$1.44 to US$1.47bn, a 5-7% growth, and profitability to grow at 6-10%. �
https://azekco.com
ADS expands with new recycling facility
US-based Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) has begun expanding its recycling facility in Georgia. The US$30 million
expansion to its recycling facility in Cordele, Georgia will expand its size to 117,000 sq ft and will create up to 50 new jobs. The plant will supply recyclate to the company’s factories in the south-east of the US. “This new facility will enhance our recycled
12 PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | Spring 2025
plastic production, enabling us to lead the industry and set new standards for innovation and sustainabil-
ity,” said Scott Barbour, president and CEO of ADS. The company says the new site will also allow
streamlined testing, thanks to an onsite laboratory. n At the same time, ADS is to close its HDPE pipe production plant in Olym- pia, Washington. The move will lead to around 54 permanent lay-offs, accord- ing to a report in the local Jolt newspaper. �
www.ads-pipe.com
IMAGE: ADS
Left: ADS has begun expanding its plastics recycling facility in Georgia
www.pipeandprofile.com
IMAGE: WEINERBERGER
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
