Industrial gases specialist publishes its 2015 Annual Report

In spite of a furthermore challenging economic environment, the Messer Group managed to increase its global sales by eleven per cent compared to the previous year. The industrial gases specialist reported a consolidated turnover of 1.166 billion euros and an operating profit (EBITDA) of 252 million euros for the financial year 2015, which is an increase of 11.4 million euros on the previous year's figure. "The financial figures of our company over the past few years show that, while we are not growing rapidly, we are growing steadily. We're not looking for short term effects, but on long term success. This is why we have invested heavily in the future of our company. That applies first and foremost to security of supply. We have now reached a very good level in this regard. And let's not forget that we owe our company's growth to our employees. They are the most important factor in our economic success", says Stefan Messer, owner and CEO of the Messer Group.

In the past year, the largest owner-managed industrial gases specialist made investments – including IFRIC 4 investments – amounting to 142 million euros. A substantial part of the investments went into the construction and modernisation of new and existing plants for producing the various technical and medical gases.

The primary focus in China at the moment is in investment projects intended to increase the diversification of our existing business model.

"Due to the weak steel market, we want to develop long-term, stable partnerships with companies in other industry sectors in China particularly, and in 2015, succeeded in winning important new on-site customers in the copper and electronics industry. We also completed construction of our new speciality gases plant in Suzhou in the province of Jiangsu, our own krypton/xenon plant and three new CO₂ production facilities", explains Dr. Hans-Gerd Wienands, Financial Director of the Messer Group.

The focus of investment activities in Europe continued to be on developing distribution channels and on selected expansion projects.In Poland, the construction of the second air separation unit (ASU) in Turek for the production of oxygen, nitrogen and argon was completed, ensuring continued participation in the strong economic growth of the country. In Serbia the second air separation plant was completed to cover the increased demand of an existing customer in Bor. We have strengthened our position in the Slovenian industrial gases' market with the construction of our first ASU there. Furthermore the capacity expansion of our cylinder filling plant in Siegen, Germany, has been completed.

Our way

"This is Messer. This is our way." is the employer branding statement of the family-run company, Messer. And this year, it is the motto of the annual report, too. "I am especially pleased about this clear message and the associated commitment to our company. I am convinced that we have the right team in place to continue the same way, now and in the future, that has brought us so far already – our way", emphasises Stefan Messer.

The 2015 Annual Report is available upon request

Messer is publishing its Annual Report again this year in both print and online form. From the middle of June the online Annual Report and the Sustainability Report (Corporate Responsibility Report) are available for download at the following address:

For the print version, you are kindly requested to send an e-mail to angela.bockstegers@messergroup.com.