Gurit has reported unaudited sales results for the first nine months of 2022. Total net sales for this period were CHF 362.8 million and net sales of Continued Operations were CHF 352.8 million which is an increase of 7.8% at constant exchange rates or 4.1% in reported CHF.
In the first three quarters of the year, the business with Western wind customer was weaker compared to the same period in 2021, driven by lower US market momentum and Western wind turbine manufacturers consolidating their activities and exiting certain regions. The Chinese domestic wind markets saw a strong year so far, with Gurit being among the top 3 suppliers for both PET and rotor blade moulds.
Composite Materials achieved net sales of CHF 225.2 million for the first nine months of 2022. This represents an increase of 37.6% at constant exchange rates compared to the first nine months of 2021 and 0.6% adjusted for acquisitions. The increase is mainly due to a continued double-digit growth of the Marine and Industrial markets and the contribution of CHF 58.5 million from the Structural Profiles business acquired in May 2022. Core material sales to the wind industry decreased by 13.6% compared to the first nine months of 2021.
Kitting recorded net sales of CHF 111.5 million for the first nine months of 2022. This is a decrease of -14.8% at constant exchange rates compared to the previous-year period. Both Kitting and Core materials net sales suffered under a reduced demand for wind blades of Western customers.
Manufacturing Solutions (Tooling) saw a decrease in its first nine months 2022 net sales by -27.0% at constant exchange rates compared to the first nine months of 2021 to CHF 47.8 million. The sales result is low due to Western customers having had almost no mould demand in 2022. In contrast, the mould business in the Chinese domestic market saw good sales, however with a different product mix. The company has strong indication that the mould business with Western wind customers will recover markedly in 2023.