The order intake of the Swabian machine tool and automation specialist increased by 22.6% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year to 236.9 million euros (previous year: 193.3 million euros). As reported by the board at today's annual general meeting, HERMLE recorded a growing demand from the chip industry, aerospace, and defense sectors, as well as a consistently strong US business and received larger individual projects. New foreign orders rose by 25.4% from early January to the end of May to 176.1 million euros (previous year: 140.4 million euros). Domestically, there was an increase of 14.9% to 60.8 million euros (previous year: 52.9 million euros). The order backlog as of May 31, 2026, was 133.2 million euros compared to 113.4 million euros on the same date last year and 90.6 million euros at the end of 2025.
Group revenue increased by 8.9% in the first five months of 2026 to 194.4 million euros (previous year: 178.6 million euros). Domestic sales grew by 19.0% to 56.5 million euros (previous year: 47.5 million euros) and foreign sales increased by 5.2% to 137.9 million euros (previous year: 131.1 million euros). The additional revenue and the resulting improved capacity utilization have compensated for result-affecting factors such as higher personnel costs and depreciation, leading to an improvement in operating results.
Based on the good business performance so far, HERMLE can suspend short-time work in the third quarter of 2026. However, due to the geopolitical and economic situation and the resulting extreme uncertainty, the company still adheres to the existing forecast for the entire year. Given the strong start to the year, it seems more likely that the upper end of the forecast range could be achievable. However, there remain significant external risk factors.
At today's annual general meeting, shareholders unanimously approved the distribution proposal from the board and supervisory board. This means that a dividend of 9.50 euros per ordinary share (previous year: 11.00 euros) and 9.55 euros per preferred share (previous year: 11.05 euros) will be paid for the 2025 financial year. For the preferred share, this results in a dividend yield of 5.8% based on the closing price at the end of 2025. Following the dividend payment, HERMLE employees in Germany will receive a bonus linked to the amount of the distribution, as in previous years. As of the end of May 2026, HERMLE employed a total of 1,638 employees (previous year: 1,605, January 1, 2000: 1,639).
The annual general meeting also unanimously approved the proposal for the regular election of shareholder representatives to the supervisory board. Dr. rer. nat. Thomas Sesselmann was newly elected to the body. Dietmar Hermle, Lothar Hermle, and Dr. Sonja Zobl-Leibinger were confirmed as members of the supervisory board. In advance of the annual general meeting, the employees elected Alexander Selig as their new representative and re-elected Gerd Grewin to the supervisory board. At the constitutive meeting of the supervisory board, which took place after the annual general meeting, Dietmar Hermle was re-elected as chairman, and Dr. Sonja Zobl-Leibinger and Lothar Hermle were re-elected as deputy chairpersons of the supervisory board.
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