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Künzelsau (dpa / lsw) - The trading group Würth is feeling a strong demand for its screws, dowels and tools.
In the first four months of 2021, sales rose by 20.9 percent compared to the same period in the previous year, said Würth boss Robert Friedmann on Thursday in Künzelsau (Hohenlohekreis).
On the one hand, there are catch-up effects as a result of the Corona crisis, on the other hand, customers also built up stocks in the uncertain time.
The availability of the goods is decisive for success or failure.
The family business expects sales growth in the high single-digit percentage range and a disproportionate increase in operating profit in 2021.
At the same time, Friedmann warned against too high expectations.
"We do not believe that the special boom will continue throughout the year."
The rising raw material prices and the interruption of supply chains, for example in the auto industry, caused concern.
If there is no production there, the industry also does not need the parts from Würth, explained Friedmann.
Thanks to its broad base and a strong second half of the year, the company got through the 2020 corona crisis year without any major problems.
Revenues increased by 1 percent to 14.4 billion euros.
The digital sales channels were important in the crisis year.
Their share of total sales rose to 19.3 percent.
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The construction industry and electrical wholesaling proved to be sales drivers, which were able to compensate for the flagging business with automotive and mechanical engineering.
The operating result increased from 770 to 775 million euros.
The company is expanding the number of its branches in the current year.
So far 131 new ones have been added worldwide.
There are now 2299 branches of the group.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210506-99-491993 / 2
Würth at the annual press conference