Annual Report 2020
Growth halted in the concrete sector
The stable growth that the concrete industry had seen in recent years, was dampened in 2020. This is partially due to the disruption of supply chains caused by trade restrictions and bans imposed across international borders.
Liebherr's sales declined in almost all regions in the reporting period, although Africa and the Middle East were notable exceptions. Significant growth was recorded here, partly due to the continually strong performance in Saudi Arabia. The European Union experienced a slight decrease, with Germany and France growing. In the non-EU countries and North America, the decrease was more pronounced. Sales across the other sales regions of the world declined moderately.
With the ETM series and the fully electric truck mixer, Liebherr is actively helping to reduce CO2 emissions in its truck mixer fleets.
Machinery and services of the future
One of Liebherr's objectives is to become a full-service system supplier of concrete technology. As a result, research and development activities have focused on the machines and services of the future. In 2020, the first pre-series vehicles in the newly developed ETM range were delivered to customers in Europe. In actual use, the truck mixers with electric drum drive show a savings potential of 30 % in both diesel consumption and CO2 emissions. Orders have already been received for 2021. The first fully electric truck mixers were also delivered to customers. The transport vehicles are also all-electric. Each year, 130 tonnes of CO2 can be saved per truck when powered by electricity from renewable sources.
Another highlight of the year was the market launch of Liebherr’s new self-service concrete plant. It gives building material suppliers a uniquely flexible option for supplying their customers, such as small professional buyers or DIYers. Due to the adjustable concrete discharge, the concrete can be collected by anything from small trailers to large truck mixers. Numerous features were added to the Liebherr BCS II control system for this purpose. The customer can specify the quantity and quality of concrete required in advance and generate a QR code to start the mixing process. The pick-up terminal is also easy to operate, making it ideal for customers picking up small quantities of concrete.
For 2021, a moderate recovery of business activities is to be expected and with it an increase in new orders which will remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels.