Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR
Orell Füssli Continues on its Growth Path
- Increase in revenue and EBIT in the first half of the year
- Growth and high capacity utilisation in security printing
- Book retailing further expands market position
- Publishers expand portfolio thanks to acquisition of Verlag SKV AG
- Procivis focuses on increased momentum in the e-ID business in Europe
- Forecast for full financial year slightly increased
Zurich, 25 July 2025 – Orell Füssli continued its growth path in the seasonally weaker first half of 2025, increasing revenue to CHF 120.1 million (previous year: CHF 107.1 million). Operating result (EBIT) rose significantly year-on-year to CHF 10.2 million (previous year: CHF 4.6 million). The 12% increase in revenue was well above the growth range targeted in the 2028 strategy.
Security printing
The Security Printing Division once again achieved revenue growth in the first half of 2025 thanks to its expanded portfolio of key customers and has a high order backlog well into 2026. Revenue rose to CHF 47.3 million in the first half of the year (previous year: CHF 38.0 million). The operating result (EBIT) improved to CHF 11.9 million (previous year: CHF 5.5 million). The division also presented its latest innovation for authenticating banknotes using a smartphone app at international trade fairs.
Industrial Systems (Zeiser)
The first half of the year for the Zeiser division was marked by cautious investment activity from customers and the associated postponement of projects, particularly in the USA. Sales declined compared with the same period last year to CHF 9.3 million (previous year: CHF 11.4 million), while operating result (EBIT) was minus CHF 0.2 million (previous year: CHF 0.6 million). However, thanks to its solid order backlog, the division is looking ahead with confidence to the second half of the year, in which numerous deliveries are planned. The first reference system featuring the new track & trace technology for banknote printing was successfully commissioned at a customer site in spring.
Book retailing
In the seasonally weaker first half of the year, Orell Füssli Thalia increased its proportionately consolidated sales to CHF 54.2 million (previous year: CHF 51.0 million) despite subdued consumer sentiment. The proportionately consolidated operating result (EBIT) amounted to CHF 1.6 million in the first half of the year (previous year: CHF 1.2 million). The bookstore network is being further expanded with a new location in St. Jakob Park in Basel. The opening is planned for spring 2026.
Other business areas
Orell Füssli Publishers performed well in the first half of 2025. The acquisition of Verlag SKV AG, announced in March 2025, expands the portfolio with educational media and digital learning platforms for basic and continuing education in commerce and business administration. Several new teaching and learning media are in preparation and will be introduced in the new school year. hep Verlag kicked off its 25th anniversary year with a series of events.
Procivis saw increasing momentum in Europe in the first half of the year, triggered by the eIDAS 2.0 regulation. This requires all 27 EU member states to implement the regulation by the end of 2026. With its Procivis One technology for digital identities and credentials, the company is very well positioned to respond to tenders for the implementation of the new requirements. The sales team in Northern, Central and Southern Europe has been strengthened to provide the needed commercial support. In Switzerland, the referendum on the new e-ID law in September is expected to generate growing interest in e-ID applications, particularly from the private sector.
Outlook
Due to the seasonal nature of the book retailing and publishing business, as well as the current order backlog in the Security Printing and Zeiser divisions, Orell Füssli expects sales to develop positively also in the second half of the year. The company is therefore raising its forecast for the 2025 financial year and expects revenue growth above the communicated range of 4-6% and an EBIT margin slightly higher than in the previous year.
Key figures Orell Füssli Group in CHF million
| |
Jan-Jun 25 |
Jan-Jun 24 |
| Revenue from sales to customers |
120.1 |
107.1 |
| Operating result (EBIT) |
10.2 |
4.6 |
| in % of revenue (rounded) |
8.5% |
4.3% |
| Half-year result |
7.2 |
1.8 |
| Number of employees (FTE) as of 30.06. |
649 |
630 |
Half-year Report 2025
The Half-year Report is available on our website at https://orellfuessli.com/en/financial-reports-presentations.
Agenda
Capital Markets Day: 11 November 2025
Publication of Annual Report: 18 March 2026
Annual General Meeting: 20 May 2026
Contact us
Orell Füssli Ltd
Phone +41 44 466 72 94
media@orellfuessli.com
Orell Füssli is a pioneer in the fields of security and education. With its expertise in security solutions for the state and citizens and as a leading Swiss player in the book retailing sector, Orell Füssli supports its clients with a unique and customised offering.
As a leading systems supplier of security technology and identification systems and a long-standing partner to governments, Orell Füssli sets technological standards in both analog and digital applications. In the area of security printing and serialisation, the company offers innovative printing processes, equipment and services for the production and effective protection of banknotes, value documents and identity documents.
Verifiable digital credentials represent a relevant new business area with huge international potential and will be developed in the coming years by Procivis a subsidiary of Orell Füssli.
With its attractive large-format and specialist bookstores, Orell Füssli offers a true book shopping experience. In the book retailing segment, Orell Füssli AG holds a 50% stake in Orell Füssli Thalia AG, an omnichannel company that provides an extensive offering with branches located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland and various e-commerce services. Orell Füssli Thalia AG provides also logistics and others services for libraries and the corporate sector.
With its publishing houses, Orell Füssli focusses on learning and legal media as well as books for children.
Orell Füssli was established more than 500 years ago and generates revenue of some CHF 250 million, with about 660 employees and locations in five countries. Orell Füssli is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under ticker symbol OFN. |
