Business
The Wurth Group sets historic records in 2021 fiscal year
According to the preliminary annual financial statements, the company generated sales of EUR 17.1 billion (2020: EUR 14.4 billion) corresponding to an increase of 18.5%, or 19.0% adjusted for currency effects. In, Germany, the Wurth group’s sales grew by 14.1 % to EUR 6.9 billion (2020: EUR 6.1 billion). With EUR 10.2 billion (2020: EUR 8.3 billion) the Wurth Companies abroad achieved even more successful results.
In Southern and Western Europe, the Group companies reported above-average growth rates, which were partly due to the very high sales slumps in 2020 in countries like Spain, Italy, and France caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Adolf Wurth GmbH & Co. KG (AW KG), the parent company and the largest individual company in the Wurth Group, generated external sales of EUR 2.1billion (+11.3 %).
As per the preliminary annual financial statements, the operating result of the Wurth Group is clearly up on the previous year with EUR 1.2 billion (2020: EUR 775 million). Strong sales growth and higher productivity contributed significantly to the positive result, and in addition due to the pandemic, costs for travel, trade fairs, and conferences did not incur in 2021.
The number of pick-up shops worldwide has more than doubled to 2,497 in the past ten years. In the business year 2021, the e-business unit generated sales of EUR 3.4 billion, which corresponds to a new record with 19.9% of the Group’s total sales.
The group’s own production plants in Germany and Europe ensure certain independence from global supply chains. “This means that we do not depend on Chinese steel imports. Today, already 80 %of our goods originate in Europe,” says Robert Friedmann, Chairman of the Central Management Board.
In the third quarter of 2022, the new innovation center in Kunzelsau-Gaisbach will be opened with the aim of streamlining innovation cycles, bringing new and further developments to market more quickly, and offering customers even more solutions of added value.
Wurth Lanka – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wurth International, was able to contribute to the above achievement by reaching up to a sales growth of 44% compared to the year 2021 through various sales strategies performed such as “Shop in shop concept”, “Weekend Wurth promotions” and “Corporate and non-Corporate sponsorship programs” etc.
Wurth Lanka began operations with a single employee in 1988 and now employs over 120 employees in various capacities including sales, services, and support. Wurth Lanka (Pvt) Ltd is a fully owned subsidiary of Wurth International, AG and belongs to Adolf Wurth GmbH, Germany-the parent company of the Wurth Group. Wurth is a Euro 14 billion Company and one of the largest international trading companies with more than 400 subsidiaries in 83 countries. With 89,183 employees worldwide, Wurth has the largest direct sales force – 33,000 around the world – to be closer to their customers.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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