Bruder Spielwaren invests in the future
After Bruder Spielwaren closed 2022 with record sales in the company's history, expectations for 2023 were initially high. This confidence quickly gave way to general disillusionment. Global trouble spots brought with them a renewed worsening of the economic situation. The global rise in the cost of living influenced consumer behavior. In addition, there were enormous challenges from an operational perspective. Although individual costs declined over the course of the year, operating and production costs generally remain very high for companies producing in Europe. Financial results for 2023: turnover of 97 million euros with a still moderate decline of 2.45% compared to the previous year. "Despite the difficult circumstances this year, our claim to quality, functionality and durability "Made in EU" has been well received by end customers. We are pleased that many families share our values and that the Bruder brand continues to grow worldwide," says Paul Heinz Bruder, Managing Director of Bruder Spielwaren GmbH + Co KG.
The very good availability of goods throughout the year was a positive factor for the overall development. In order to meet the increased demand, the Franconian manufacturer has worked intensively over the past two years on the expansion and efficiency of production and logistics. In October, the expansion of the production halls at the Czech plant in Pilsen went into operation.
Investments in efficiency and sustainability
At the same time, Bruder invested in measures to effectively save energy at the Fürth-Burgfarrnbach site as part of the family company's manifest sustainability concept. "We are constantly working to design and improve our production methods to conserve resources as much as possible. We achieve excellent results by making various adjustments in the area of material handling. Ten injection molding machines at the production site in Fürth-Burgfarrnbach have also been replaced, and these operate with around 20 percent less power consumption than their predecessors," says Paul Heinz Bruder. Overall, the investment volume over the course of the year amounts to around 14% of turnover. On the agenda for 2024 is the finalization of another major energy-saving project to recover waste heat from production for heating the buildings.
Country overview
Bruder Spielwaren supplies its model toys and accessories to over 60 countries worldwide. Last year, the export ratio was again 70 percent. The DACH region, with Germany as the strongest market, recorded further sales growth and closed the year with a good increase on the previous year. The markets in Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states, which have been recording steady growth for several years, were also particularly strong in terms of sales. In terms of markets, turnover and sales, the biggest challenges were in the USA and Asia.
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