Faber-Castell achieves double-digit growth again

With more than 15% growth in turnover, Faber-Castell has surpassed pre-pandemic levels in currency-adjusted terms – according to the company’s statement on the balance sheet for the 2021/2020 financial year. According to the statement, the group has made strong gains in all areas and regions. The American market performed particularly well.

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With a group turnover of EUR 522.6 million (previous year: EUR 452.0 million), Faber-Castell has also left the economic pandemic behind. The Faber-Castell Group achieved an increase in turnover of +15.6% in the past 21/22 business year, thus clearly exceeding its own expectations. Adjusted for currency effects, i.e. assuming stable exchange rates, the year-on-year increase in turnover is +14.4%, slightly above the pre-COVID year 19/20. “The order books are well filled,” says CEO Stefan Leitz. At the same time, however, he warns against euphoria: “The entire supply chain of our company, but also that of our suppliers, is very strained. Massively rising costs for raw materials as well as in logistics and energy supply require Faber-Castell more than ever to plan carefully, control costs clearly and cooperate closely within the group.”

The cosmetics division (OEM business), which had suffered particularly from the pandemic, was able to make strong gains again in the past business year. The paper/office stationery retail business also recovered globally and provided growth in the product segments Games & Learning, Premium and General Writing & Marking. The USA and Brazil markets benefited from an above-average order situation. The rest of the South American market also grew after recent sharp declines in sales due to lockdowns, some of which lasted for months. In particular, school closures had significantly impacted the important back-to-school business in some South American countries in the pandemic years 2020 and 2021. The company traditionally does not provide information on the business result, but according to Leitz it is also continuing to develop upwards. In addition to the sales development, the successfully implemented restructuring measures had a positive effect on the result of the 2021/22 business year.

CEO Stefan Leitz is “very satisfied” with the business development. He and his management team recently presented a 5-year growth programme to the group under the title “One Faber-Castell – creating a colourful future”. He is counting on the advantage of the strong brand, global market presence, further innovations and the synergies of international cooperation. Faber-Castell’s leading position in sustainability is also to be further expanded. Faber-Castell is one of the world’s leading companies for high-quality products for writing, drawing and creative design as well as decorative cosmetic products. With over two billion pencils and coloured pencils per year and around 6,500 employees, Faber-Castell is the world’s leading manufacturer of wood-cased pencils. Today, the company is represented in over 120 countries and has its own production facilities in ten and sales companies in 22 countries worldwide. Founded in 1761, Faber-Castell is one of the oldest industrial companies in the world and has been in the family for nine generations. The company owes its leading position in the international market to its traditional self-commitment to the highest quality, environmental responsibility and the large number of product innovations. The company has also been a member of the PSI network for many years. www.faber-castell.com

Photo: The Faber-Castell Museum.