SMT Scharf AG, a leading supplier of transport and logistics systems for underground mining, has revised its forecast for the 2026 financial year downward, citing persistently low investment activity in key markets and a project termination in the Middle East. The company reported preliminary consolidated revenue of EUR 51.5 million for the first nine months of 2026, a steep drop from EUR 70.9 million in the same period last year, according to a release distributed via NEWMEDIAWIRE. Operating earnings (EBIT) fell to EUR 0.0 million, compared with EUR 2.4 million in the prior-year period.
The revenue decline was driven by reduced new systems business, particularly in coal mining and tunnel logistics, where customers have curbed capital spending. Lower contribution margins from the reduced revenue, combined with EUR 0.6 million in non-recurring charges from provisions tied to the unexpected termination of a tunnel project in the Middle East, weighed heavily on third-quarter results. With no recovery in investment appetite expected in the fourth quarter, the Managing Board now projects full-year consolidated revenue of EUR 75 million to EUR 85 million, down from the previous guidance of EUR 95 million to EUR 115 million. EBIT is forecast at between EUR -0.5 million and EUR -1.5 million, versus the earlier range of EUR 1 million to EUR 2 million.
Despite the near-term headwinds, CEO Longjiao Wang emphasized that the company is sticking to its strategic roadmap. “We remain focused on consistently implementing our adopted strategy and expanding our business with an extended product portfolio,” Wang said. The company is pursuing targeted sales partnerships, including with the CFH Group in Kazakhstan and South Africa, and is advancing its electromobility lineup with selected partners. Notably, its 19-seat personnel carrier and 8-tonne cargo vehicle have received MA certification in China, confirming their suitability for safe use in potentially explosive underground environments.
The announcement matters for investors and industry observers because it underscores the cyclical pressures facing mining equipment suppliers as global coal and tunnel investment slows. SMT Scharf’s diversification into battery-powered transport solutions and new geographic markets is a bet on medium- and long-term demand, but the revised guidance signals that near-term profitability will be difficult to sustain. The company’s ability to execute on its strategic initiatives—particularly the commercialization of certified electric vehicles and the expansion of sales partnerships—will be critical to restoring growth. The full quarterly report as of September 30, 2026, is scheduled for publication on October 29, 2026, and will provide further detail on the company’s financial position and outlook. For more information, the original release is available at www.newmediawire.com.
