SBF AG Reports Strong First Half 2025 Performance Despite Challenging Manufacturing Environment

SBF AG reported robust operational performance for the first half of 2025, maintaining stability in a challenging manufacturing environment while achieving significant profitability improvements. The publicly traded company specializing in innovative solutions for rolling stock, lighting, electromechanics, and sensor technology generated group revenue of EUR 21.9 million, slightly below the previous year's EUR 22.9 million, primarily due to short-term delays in customer call-off orders that will also affect the second half performance.

The company's financial resilience was demonstrated through a substantial increase in EBITDA to EUR 0.5 million, up from EUR 0.1 million in the same period last year. This improvement reflects the positive effects of restructuring measures and efficiency enhancements implemented across the organization. When adjusted for a precautionary entry related to a customer insolvency, EBITDA reached EUR 0.9 million, underscoring the underlying strength of the company's operational performance.

Robert Stöcklinger, member of the Management Board of SBF AG, emphasized the company's ability to navigate difficult market conditions. "We are operating in an extremely challenging market environment. Consumer reluctance, supply chain problems, and structural adjustments are shaping the business. In this demanding phase, we have once again demonstrated our resilience," Stöcklinger stated. The company remains confident about pursuing new opportunities arising from extensive investments in infrastructure, mobility, and defense sectors.

The Rolling Stock segment showed particularly strong performance, generating sales of EUR 11 million in the first half, representing a 19% increase compared to H1 2024. Despite expected short-term postponements by customers in the second half, the segment maintains an exceptionally high order backlog. The company's strong position in the rail market and contractually secured project durations ensure good production capacity utilization for the coming months and years.

In the Public and Industrial Lighting segment, revenue reached EUR 4.5 million, below initial expectations but following extensive restructuring measures. The relocation to the Budweis site has resulted in significantly lower rental and personnel costs, with production now fully operational. The company has obtained product certifications for projects with Deutsche Bahn and local authorities to strengthen order entry, while political and industry acceleration measures are expected to provide additional positive effects.

The newly established Sensor Technology and Electromechanics segment delivered solid performance with revenue of EUR 7 million, matching the previous year's results. Earnings improvement measures are already showing positive effects, and the promising order backlog suggests strong results by year-end. This segment is expected to play a central role in the Group's growth strategy, with increasing synergy effects strengthening the overall earnings power.

SBF AG confirmed its full-year 2025 outlook, expecting revenue between EUR 43.0 and 46.0 million and consolidated EBITDA in the range of EUR 1.5 to 2.5 million. The company targets significant profitability improvement starting from 2025, building on the foundation laid by forward-looking investments and strategic positioning in growth markets. The 2025 half-year report is available on the company's website at https://www.sbf-ag.com/investor-relations/finanzpublikationen.

For investors and industry observers, SBF's performance demonstrates the importance of strategic restructuring and operational efficiency in navigating challenging market conditions. The company's ability to improve profitability while maintaining revenue stability highlights the effectiveness of its transformation measures. The maintained outlook signals confidence in the company's strategic direction and its positioning to capitalize on infrastructure and mobility investments, making this announcement significant for understanding how specialized manufacturing companies can thrive amid broader economic challenges.