KWS closes fiscal 2019/2020 successfully - growth in all product segments
KWS achieved an increase in net sales of around 15% to €1.28 billion in fiscal 2019/2020. The key figures EBIT, net income and earnings per share remained below the previous year due to acquisition-related special effects. "Our business model has proven to be extremely robust in challenging times," commented Eva Kienle, Chief Financial Officer of KWS. "Thanks to our innovative variety portfolio, we have grown in all product segments and were able to significantly increase our operating income adjusted for acquisition effects. We expect stable business development for the new financial year."
Further information can be found here: Press Corner
The entire 2019/2020 annual report and our sustainability report are available for download at Financial Report
Challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic
KWS has come through the coronavirus pandemic relatively well so far. In addition to the many different measures, from extensive hygiene concepts to a strong expansion of digital offerings, it is above all the discipline and creativity of all employees that have minimised the impact on KWS so far. Farmers could be supplied in time for the spring sowing season and production and work in the areas of propagation and breeding could be maintained, explains Hagen Duenbostel, Spokesman of the Executive Board of KWS.
An outlook for the coming fiscal year and explanations of further challenges can be found here: Greetings to the annual report
Hagen Duenbostel, Spokesman of the Executive Board
Social engagement at KWS
The current situation in particular requires strong social cohesion and poses challenges for many charitable organisations. KWS is in close contact with local partners in order to support organisations and initiatives that have been set up as a result of the pandemic and lockdown or whose activities are urgently needed against this backdrop, in addition to its regular commitment. Cultural sponsorship and support for the arts will also be maintained without restriction in order to strengthen the institutions and cultural organisers in the region.
Further information on our social commitment and other regional news from our company can be found on our homepage at Corporate Responsibility
New research building: BiT2
This year, KWS completed two major projects at the Einbeck site. The new Biotechnology Centre 2 (BiT2 for short) research building was occupied after a good three years of planning and construction. The three-storey laboratory and office building has over 2,350 square metres of laboratory space and creates room that meets the highest laboratory technology and hygiene standards as well as the most modern requirements in terms of workplace design, energy efficiency and logistics. A good 200 employees will work in the new BiT2. The very special thing about this building: pictures of KWS scientists from the "Art meets Science" project adorn the walls.
Further information can be found here: New research building
Images and information on the "Art meets Science" project can be found here Art meets Science
Additional production plant for sugarbeet seed put into operation
With the commissioning of an ultra-modern plant for dressing and packaging, KWS has set a further milestone in its almost €50 million project to expand and modernise production of sugarbeet seed at its Einbeck site. The first step was to significantly increase storage capacity and build a new logistics and storage centre. This was followed by the construction of a machine house in which the new plant for pickling and packaging was installed and has now been fully commissioned. This is KWS' response to a change in customer ordering behaviour and an expansion of its own product range. The new state-of-the-art plant enables production to be expanded by 30% and is characterised by improved flexibility, efficiency and quality. Particular attention was paid to sustainability and resource-saving processes during the design phase.
Further information here: Press Corner
The future of agriculture in the EU: Green Deal
The EU Commission's "Farm to Fork" strategy is a cornerstone of the European Green Deal and formulates specific targets for the agricultural sector:
Reduce the use of chemical crop protection by 50 percent.
Reduce the use of fertilisers by at least 20 percent. Nutrient surpluses in fertilisation, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, are to be reduced by 50 percent.
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane and nitrous oxide from livestock farming.
25 percent of agricultural land is to be farmed organically and "other biodiversity-friendly" cultivation methods are to be promoted.
At the same time, farms are facing challenging framework conditions. As a plant breeding company, KWS wants to continue to fulfil its mission and sees the Green Deal as a task of supplying farmers with solutions that contribute to the objectives of this European roadmap and at the same time enable farmers to operate sustainably.
Further information can be found here: Green Deal