The 2016 financial year

Net Sales
CHF 1858 Mio.
(6.5 %)
EBIT
CHF 151 Mio.
(10.4 %)
Net Profit
CHF 116 Mio.
(–0.6 %)
Employees
8734
(7.0 %)

RUAG posted the highest sales figure in its history in 2016. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and order intake also reached new heights.

Net sales
by application
(in %) 

Year,Civil,Military
2016,57,43
2015,55,45

Net sales
by divisions
(in CHF million) 

Year,Space,Aerostructures,Aviation,Ammotec,Defence
2016,345,236,469,385,388
2015,310,196,479,340,381

Net sales
by market
(in %) 

Year,Switzerland,Europe,North America,Asia/Pacific,Rest of the world
2016,37,46,11,4,2
2015,38,44,12,3,3

Overview of key figures

in CHF million 2016 2015 Change in %
Net sales 1858 1774 6.5 %
Operating income 1882 1758 7.1 %
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 232 217 6.9 %
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) 151 137 10.4 %
Net profit 116 117 –0.6 %
Cash flow from operating activities 135 145 –6.8 %
Free cash flow 56 64 –12.1 %
Net financial position 237 231 2.7 %
Order inflow 2036 1828 11.4 %
Order backlog 1556 1378 13.0 %
Research and development expenses 171 146 16.6 %
Employees as at 31 December incl. apprentices 8734 8136 7.0 %

The Divisions’ financial year

All five RUAG divisions operated profitably and contributed to the positive consolidated result.

RUAG Space

RUAG Space

RUAG Space

The Group’s international market position was further expanded and key successes were achieved in the commercial space business. Thanks to organic and strategic growth, RUAG Space operates at twelve locations in six countries, now including Germany and the USA.

Net sales: CHF 345 million
EBIT: CHF 32 million
Employees: 1257

Division report [PDF]

RUAG Aerostructures

RUAG Aerostructures: Active support for the modernization of the A320 family

RUAG Aerostructures

Both sales and profitability saw gains in 2016. The project to assume complete supply chain responsibility for two Airbus fuselage sections was successful. Focused investments will secure sustained growth.

Net sales: CHF 236 million
EBIT: CHF 12 million
Employees: 1104

Division report [PDF]

RUAG Aviation

As the materiel centre of excellence for the Swiss Air Force, RUAG Aviation maintains the F/A-18 fleet

RUAG Aviation

External factors led to a decline in sales in 2016, but EBIT ended higher. The trend in the international components business was very positive. Programmes for the Swiss Air Force proceeded as planned.

Net sales: CHF 469 million
EBIT: CHF 44 million
Employees: 2211

Division report [PDF]

RUAG Ammotec

RUAG Ammotec: Relaunch of a modernized GP11 cartridge

RUAG Ammotec

The division achieved a significant increase in both sales and the operating result (EBIT). Despite export restrictions, therefore, it accomplished a clear strengthening of its international market position. Once again the main driver was the hunting and sporting business.

Net sales: CHF 385 million
EBIT: CHF 31 million
Employees: 2218

Division report [PDF]

RUAG Defence

RUAG Defence: Simulations of cyber attacks at the Cyber Training Range

RUAG Defence

The division achieved renewed growth and higher profitability in the 2016 financial year. Both domestically and abroad, the market position of all business units grew firmer. Based on a very solid current order volume, RUAG Defence is optimistic about the coming financial year.

Net sales: CHF 388 million
EBIT: CHF 24 million
Employees: 1612

Division report [PDF]

Key events in 2016

RUAG Defence: Five-year contract for combat training
March Swiss public tender awarded

Five-year contract for combat training centres

The Swiss Armed Forces have two combat training facilities. In a public tender process, RUAG Defence is awarded the contract to operate the centres, equipped with the latest simulation systems, for the next five years.
RUAG Defence: Five-year contract for combat training
RUAG Aerostructures: New surface treatment centre in Emmen
March Millions invested in Aerostructures

New surface treatment centre in Emmen

In Emmen RUAG Aerostructures is building a surface treatment centre equipped with the most advanced technologies. Following its commissioning (scheduled for 2017), the facility will be one of the biggest in Europe. RUAG is investing approximately CHF 23 million in the centre.
RUAG Aerostructures: New surface treatment centre in Emmen
RUAG Space: Carbon fibre structures for Vulcan rockets from United Launch Alliance
April Expanded partnership with United Launch Alliance

Carbon fibre structures for Vulcan launch vehicle

RUAG Space will produce various carbon fibre structures for the US United Launch Alliance's Vulcan launch vehicle. The contract also includes an expanded role as supplier of payload fairings for the Atlas V launch vehicle. (Image: ULA)
RUAG Space: Carbon fibre structures for Vulcan rockets from United Launch Alliance
Space facility in Dresden
May RUAG Space facility in Germany

Acquisition of HTS in Dresden complete

With the full acquisition of technology firm HTS by RUAG Space, all five RUAG divisions now have in-house development and production facilities in Germany. The Dresden-based company's business will see further expansion in the years to come.
Space facility in Dresden
RUAG Space: Payload fairing for the Ariane 6
June Development of the next Ariane generation

Payload fairing for the Ariane 6

Europe is seeking to bolster its leading position in commercial space flight with the versatile Ariane 6 launch vehicle. RUAG Space is developing the 20-metre tall payload fairing and will also supply the model for the maiden flight scheduled for 2020. (Image: ESA)
RUAG Space: Payload fairing for the Ariane 6
RUAG Space spins off opto-electronics unit
July Focus on the core business

RUAG Space spins off opto-electronics unit

In keeping with the corporate strategy, RUAG Space is increasing its focus on the core business in structures and mechanisms along with digital electronic and high-frequency products. The Opto-Electronics & Instruments unit is sold to Thales Alenia Space.
RUAG Space spins off opto-electronics unit
RUAG Aerostructures: Fuselage structures for the successful A320
July Long-term cooperation agreement with Airbus

Fuselage structures for the successful A320

To date RUAG Aerostructures has delivered fuselage structures for over 7000 aircraft in the A320 family, Airbus's most successful series. A new cooperation agreement for at least five years will strengthen the partnership, affirming the division's strong manufacturing capabilities.
RUAG Aerostructures: Fuselage structures for the successful A320
RUAG Defence establishes itself as a leading cyber-security partner for armed forces, public authorities and companies
September Rapid expansion of cyber-security activities

Investments and a separate business unit

RUAG Defence hopes to establish itself as a leading cyber-security partner for European armed forces, government and business. The company is building an independent business unit in which it will invest several tens of millions of Swiss francs in the coming years.
RUAG Defence establishes itself as a leading cyber-security partner for armed forces, public authorities and companies
Two men sitting at a table and writing on a paper
October Strengthening of compliance and risk management

The culture of integrity as personal experience

The RUAG Board of Directors has commissioned a comprehensive project for the integrated expansion and further strengthening of compliance and risk management within the Group. Not just legal compliance, but also ethically impeccable conduct is of key importance in the initiative.
Two men sitting at a table and writing on a paper
RUAG Space manufactures the separation mechanism for the landing module and the thermal insulation for the ExoMars mission
October RUAG technology reaches the Red Planet

Switzerland, Austria and Sweden involved

ExoMars is the first close-up research mission to Mars since the 1970s. RUAG Space produced the separation mechanism for the landing module as well as the thermal insulation, control computer and slip rings for the Trace Gas Orbiter.
RUAG Space manufactures the separation mechanism for the landing module and the thermal insulation for the ExoMars mission
RUAG Australia assumes F-35 component MRO responsibility for the Pacific region
November F-35 component MRO for the entire Pacific region

Part of the Joint Strike Fighter programme

As part of the Joint Strike Fighter programme, Australia has been awarded the contract for several F-35 component categories for the entire Asia-Pacific region. RUAG Australia will assume MRO responsibilities for four technology groups.
RUAG Australia assumes F-35 component MRO responsibility for the Pacific region
RUAG Space manufactures high-precision satellite structures for OneWeb
November Large-scale series production in satellite construction

900 satellite structures for OneWeb

OneWeb is designed to provide broadband internet service worldwide using 648 satellites. Among other things, RUAG Space will manufacture 900 satellite structures to carry the other component assemblies for the project. This represents the biggest production series in satellite construction so far. RUAG had previously been awarded a contract by Arianespace to develop and manufacture "dispensers" for the same project. These dispensers enable up to 36 satellites to be placed in orbit with a single rocket launch.
RUAG Space manufactures high-precision satellite structures for OneWeb
RUAG develops a new production site in Hungary
December New production site in Hungary

Construction of an Aerostructures production site in Hungary

To meet growing demand for aircraft structural components for the Airbus A320 and other models, RUAG is building a new plant in Eger, Hungary. In December, following an audit by the customer Airbus, RUAG received approval to begin bringing components made in Hungary into the production process.
RUAG develops a new production site in Hungary
RUAG Defence takes over the cyber-security company Clearswift
December Acquisition agreement for British cyber-security firm signed

Leading technology and market access

Products from the cyber-security company Clearswift – the acquisition of which was finalized on 20 January 2017 – will bring complementary technologies to expand the product and service portfolio of the new RUAG Cyber Security business unit. The acquisition opens new sales channels and expands research and development capabilities.
RUAG Defence takes over the cyber-security company Clearswift
Cooperation in simulation & training
December Major contract awarded by French army

Cooperation in simulation & training

In 2016, RUAG Defence was awarded a major contract by the French army. This contract in the area of simulation & training involves modernizing the instrumentation at the national combat training centres and supplying France's land forces with the related equipment.
Cooperation in simulation & training
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