Is the future programmable? Software will be a decisive factor for success in the mobility industry, and not just for ZF. Because the automobile is increasingly software-defined, the company is pushing the topic to the forefront of its thinking and actions. It is therefore no surprise that the Annual Report has a strong software theme in terms of both look and content. Find all the key facts and figures on the 2021 annual accounts in this downloadable PDF.
At 38.3 billion euros, revenue increased year-on-year by 17.5 percent, considerably exceeding the 2020 figure of 32.6 billion euros, and also above that of 2019 (36.5 billion euros). Adjusted EBIT was 1.91 billion euros (2020: 1.0 billion euros), while adjusted EBIT margin came in at 5.0 percent (2020: 3.2 percent). Meanwhile, ZF continued its strategic orientation, focused on the future of mobility, and secured substantial new customer contracts in the three core areas of electric mobility, autonomous driving and software development. details are in the PDF of the summary Annual Report further up this page.
Rarely has the economy been subject to such frequent and rapid fluctuations. Following a difficult year affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the company was able to find its feet again in 2021, before the brakes were slammed on once more by the semiconductor shortage, supply-chain problems, high prices for energy and logistics and, not least, the fourth wave of the pandemic. Everyone in the sector had to battle these conditions, not just large companies. But not all of them were able to handle it. In 2021, ZF demonstrated that the Mobility Group has not only understood the core challenges but is also equipped to overcome them thanks to long-term planning as well as a clear vision and strategy. Read the details on the pages that follow.
Compared to the previous year, the market recovery in 2021 was clearly visible in all regions, but at varying degrees of intensity.
At €9,395 million, sales in the Region of Asia-Pacific were above the prior-year figure (2020: €8,147 million). In fiscal year 2021, sales in North America amounted to €10,194 million (2020: €8,587 million), which corresponds to a growth rate of 18.7%. For the whole year, sales in Europe amounted to €17,297 million, which is 16.8% above the prior year’s level. Sales increases were also recorded in the Regions of South America and Africa. Sales amounted to €1,054 million at the end of the year in South America and to €373 million in Africa.
The distribution of sales by region resulted in the following picture: The top-selling region was again Europe, accounting for 45%, followed by North America with 27% and Asia-Pacific with 24%. The Region of South America and the Region of Africa have a sales share of 3% and 1%, respectively.
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In the past fiscal year, investments in property, plant and equipment amounted to €1,605 million (2020: €1,441 million). In geographical terms, capital expenditure focused on Europe (59%), followed by Asia-Pacific (23%) and North America (16%).
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