Wienerberger: Q3-results beat expectations

“With a clear focus on proactive cost management, innovation and ecological solutions for new build, renovation as well as water and energy management, Wienerberger was once again able to successfully maintain its position in the third quarter and is even better prepared for future challenges and opportunities. Focusing on the core environmental topics of decarbonization, the circular economy and biodiversity, solutions developed by Wienerberger provide the necessary tools for affordable and sustainable construction and renovation. Against this backdrop, we look to the future with optimism and confirm our 2023 EBITDA targets”, says Heimo Scheuch, Chairman of the Managing Board of Wienerberger AG.

Performance of the Segments

Europe West: In the first three quarters of the year, external revenues amounted to € 1,706 million (2022: € 1,923 million). Operating EBITDA came to € 319 million (2022: € 328 million).

In the new construction segment, the decline in demand continued in the third quarter due to a lack of affordability as a result of the high level of interest rates and inflation in previous quarters. The group also recorded a slight decline in the renovation segment. The flattening curve in the infrastructure segment in the second quarter continued in the third quarter and the cost-cutting measures introduced and the steady expansion of the portfolio led to continued good profitability in this segment.

Europe East: During the first nine months of the business year, external revenues totaled € 934 million (2022: € 1,187 million). Operating EBITDA amounted to € 178 million (2022: € 311 million) in the first three quarters of 2023.

The third quarter of 2023 showed a differentiated picture in the various countries: Although continued high interest rates and high inflation slowed demand in the region, there were signs of a slowdown in the downward trend. Due to the persistently high demand for housing, measures were taken in individual countries such as the Czech Republic and Poland to support the construction sector. The countries in south-eastern Europe were able to increase sales and earnings in both the construction and pipe business compared to the same period of the previous year.

North America: For the first three quarters of the reporting period, Wienerberger recorded external revenues of € 646 million (2022: € 737 million) and operating EBITDA of € 168 million (2022: € 181 million).

As interest rates were raised again in the third quarter, demand cooled further, especially in the brick business. This development was particularly noticeable in the Southeast, while demand in Texas and Canada initially developed better than expected. However, this trend slowed towards the end of the third quarter. In the pipe business, wienerberger recorded an increase in infrastructure projects throughout the USA.

2023 Outlook

Based on developments seen to date, Wienerberger expects the market environment to remain as challenging in the last three months of 2023 as it was during the first three quarters. Demand in the North American market is projected to remain stable, albeit at a lower level, whereas a further downturn in Western Europe and increasing stabilization in Eastern Europe are anticipated. With its constant focus on innovative ecological solutions, the further enlargement of the product portfolio, and its value-accretive growth strategy, Wienerberger believes it will continue to hold its own in the future. Given its strong position and its proven resilience, combined with profitability-increasing measures, the company is confident of delivering a very solid performance in the 2023 business year and once more confirms its operating EBITDA target of € 800-820 million.

Regarding the progress of acquiring significant parts of the Terreal Group, Wienerberger stated in the press release that it had received all regulatory approvals without any significant amendments and was now awaiting approval of the secondary transaction by the antitrust authorities. The transaction is expected to be finalised at the end of 2023 or beginning of 2024. Earnings contributions from the Terreal Group are not included in the quarterly results.