New Husqvarna Group CEO, Pavel Hajman, offers comments on the company’s Q2 performance:
Net sales increased by 7%, of which organic sales were relatively unchanged. In particular, the robotic mower and battery-powered product categories achieved a strong growth. Our watering category returned to growth in the latter part of the quarter.
The Husqvarna Forest & Garden Division delivered organic sales growth of 3% with good demand for robotic mowers for both residential and professional customers.
New products, such as Husqvarna Automower® NERA, our first robotic mower with virtual boundary technology for the residential market, have successfully been launched in the market. The division’s range of battery-powered products has been expanded and the category grew strongly. The demand for Gardena Division’s watering products grew gradually during the quarter. The division’s organic sales declined by 2% but operating income improved significantly. Organic sales for the Husqvarna Construction Division declined by 5%, but with diligent cost control and operational resilience the operating income increased for the division.
Group operating income, excluding items affecting comparability, increased by 11% to SEK 2,313m (2,075). The increase was driven by price increases, improved product mix and lower costs for raw materials and logistics. Direct operating cash flow improved by SEK 2.6bn to SEK 4,443m (1,803) as a result of higher operating income and strong cash flow from changes in inventory and accounts receivables. Given the continuing uncertain macroeconomic environment our focus remains on further cost efficiency, improved cash flow and operational flexibility. We will continue to reduce inventory levels for the remainder of the gardening season.
We are executing our strategic transformation
I am honored to be appointed CEO of Husqvarna Group, and I am fully committed to the continued execution of our successful strategy. We have an exciting journey ahead where we are building a stronger Group by investing in the key focus areas of robotic mowers, battery, watering and solutions for the professional market. With this, we are also driving the transition to sustainable solutions and a lower carbon footprint. We are proactively exiting sales of petrol- powered, low-margin consumer business, primarily wheeled products and rightsizing our Orangeburg manufacturing plant in North America.
We are also consolidating our global manufacturing footprint, with the discontinuing of the handheld production facility in Nashville, AR, U.S.,
The Group’s electrification ambition aims to consistently reduce our carbon footprint. To date, we have reduced CO2 emissions by -38% compared with the base year of 2015. We are currently exceeding our target of a -35% reduction by 2025.
To summarize, we have delivered a good performance in the gardening season and taken additional steps on our ongoing transformation journey. With an innovative product portfolio and dedication to customer focus, we have strengthened our global leadership and remain committed to creating sustainable value for all stakeholders.”
Click HERE for the full Interim Q2 report.