The ebm‑papst Group, technology leader in fans and motors, closed fiscal year 2022/23, which ended on March 31, 2023, with a record turnover of 2.540 billion euros. 

This is the first time in its history that the Baden-Württemberg-based family company has exceeded the 2.5-billion-euro mark – a milestone that was achieved in spite of a difficult market environment characterized by global political conflicts and material shortages.

Compared with the previous year (2.288 billion euros), this represents an increase of almost eleven percent. At the same time, the number of employees grew by 161 to a total of 14,940 worldwide. In the current fiscal year, ebm‑papst is planning moderate sales growth in the mid-single-digit percentage range.

Looking back, Dr. Klaus Geißdörfer, CEO of the ebm‑papst Group, recalled the enormous challenges: “Behind us lies a fiscal year marked by severe tension on the procurement markets due to global political crises and pandemic-related challenges.” 

Despite great efforts and flexibility at all working levels and an investment program of 165 million euros, the company had not succeeded – particularly due to the global struggle for electronic components – in “fully meeting the massive market requirements and demand for our energy-efficient solutions”, Geißdörfer added with regret.

As part of its “Making the Future Together” strategy launched in 2022, the company continues to prioritize quality and responsibility towards customers and employees by focusing on sustainability, digitalization, innovation, and the promotion of young talent. Particular attention is being paid to the growth markets of America and Asia. In addition to record investments in German and international locations, ebm‑papst is once again increasing its spending on research and development to 140.2 million euros.  

High investments in the expansion of production and the development of heat pumps as well as energy-efficient and digital fans are a key element here. The construction of the Group’s new Electronics Innovation Center in Mulfingen (now nearing completion) and investments in the US and Eastern Europe are also part of this. In this context, ebm‑papst is concentrating on its core business of Air and Heating technology. “ebm‑papst has become a global market leader in many segments thanks to its innovative strength, commitment to quality and engineering expertise,” stated Geißdörfer, adding: “We are leading Air technology into a new generation.”

The company is clearly committed to climate protection with the aim of achieving climate-neutral production by 2025. This includes emissions it generates directly (Scope 1) and indirectly (Scope 2). "For example, we will make greater use of green electricity and our own PV systems, and attach great importance to energy efficiency and the circular economy," says Chief Financial Officer Hans Peter Fuchs (CFO).

"Our contribution are also sustainable and intelligent solutions for a better climate, because we help our customers save millions of tons of CO2. ebm‑papst will continue to set the standard in sustainability through innovative products. In the future, this will be more important than ever before," says Klaus Geißdörfer.

He described the completion of ebm‑papst’s new headquarters in China, ‘one Shanghai’, which will be occupied during the year, as part of its ‘local for local’ strategy, as an important step toward consolidating the Group’s global corporate structure. The ebm‑papst Group has been pursuing its internationalization strategy for years so that it can best meet customer needs and local market requirements as an autonomous player in the regions of Europe, America, and Asia, as well as establish an independent supply chain.

“In the future, it is crucial for ebm‑papst to continue to attract the talents and to enable and inspire all of our employees worldwide to be ready and willing to give their best every day", says Dr. Sonja Fleischer, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). This also includes a less bureaucratic and modern immigration policy as well as a good internal integration for required skilled workers from abroad.

In addition to increasing investment in training and professional education, it is important to the company’s management that in-house junior staff take on responsibility, even for large projects, right from the start of their training. This year, for example, the trainees were very successful in independently designing and organizing ebm‑papst’s appearance at Hannover Messe. For Sonja Fleischer, second place for trainees in Germany’s ‘Jugend forscht’ national competition and the energy scouts’ vertical farming project were further proof that the trust placed in young people is bearing fruit.