11:37 a.m.

At the end of his speech, Endress thanks all employees and management and shares the hope that there will soon be a vaccine.

11:36 a.m.

The ultimate goal in the crisis is to keep people on board. That way, we can get back on track quickly when things start to move forward again.

11:35 a.m.

According to Endress, the return on sales has been continuously improved in recent years. As a result, the company now has sufficient liquidity to "pay the wages and salaries of our employees for a year. If necessary, we can draw on this substance in times of crisis," says Endress.

11:32 a.m.

New arrangements have also been made for working in the company. This means that the young family members will also be permanently employed below management level and can work their way up like any other employee.

11:30 a.m.

Since 2019, the younger generation of the family has borne more responsibility: the "youngsters" have the majority here and Sandra Genge will be the first member of the younger generation to join the Board of Directors. In 2022, she will take over from Hans-Peter Endress, who will be stepping down due to his age.

11:26 a.m.

Dr. h.c. Klaus Endress takes over. He emphasizes that 2019 was a good year for the Endress family. The family charter was revised. It sets out what the entrepreneurial family wants to achieve, which values and principles are important and which rules should be observed. Klaus Endress on the family's vision: "Endress+Hauser should remain a successful family business. With the charter, we have created fixed institutions that strengthen common ground and cohesion. The members of the family see each other regularly. The younger generation is always there. They also have their own platforms to get to know each other better and learn more about the company."

Sales development 2015-2019

© Endress+Hauser

11:22 a.m.

The operating result increased by 3.9% from 331 to 343 million euros The equity ratio was 75.6% in 2019 (2018: 71.0%)

11:19 am

The number of employees increased: In Europe by 250 to 9,950 employees, in Asia/Pacific from 2,315 to 2,429 employees, in the Americas from 1,606 to 1,645 employees.

11:15 a.m.

Turnover rose from 2,445 million euros to 2,652 million euros in 2019. Endress + Hauser generates the largest turnover in Europe. The company generated sales of 1,182 million euros in 2019 (2018: 1,124 million euros); this corresponds to an increase of 5.2 %. The Asia/Pacific region increased by 17% from 660 to 772 million euros. The Americas recorded growth of 6% from 555 to 588 million euros. Africa/Middle East alone recorded a drop of 5.6% from 116 to 110 million euros.

11:10 a.m.

"Endress+Hauser has always emerged stronger from crises. I am convinced that we will succeed this time too. Why? Because we always operate extremely soundly and have made provisions in good times. Because we are backed by a family of shareholders who are loyal to customers and employees and take their corporate responsibility seriously," says Altendorf.

11:08 a.m.

Fluctuations in capacity utilization in production and sales can be balanced out by reallocating capacities and resources. Working time accounts are reduced, even into the red, and vacation and bridge days are used flexibly. If necessary, short-time working will also be used, says Altendorf. Costs will also be scrutinized: expenditure will be avoided where possible and projects postponed. However, major investment projects will be carried out and completed.

11:05 a.m.

Altendorf emphasizes that fear and panic are not appropriate. We need to focus on responsibility and solidarity and remember our freedoms, says the CEO of Endress + Hauser. Altendorf: "Our experience from the 2008/2009 financial crisis is helping us in this acute phase. When a situation develops very dynamically, it is important to act flexibly and agilely. To drive by sight, as we say, in order to react quickly to new situations and readjust the course if necessary. At the same time, we must not lose sight of the long-term goal."

11:03 a.m.

The corona crisis is currently overshadowing the known challenges: The trade dispute and political tensions, the structural crisis in the automotive sector, the pressure to decarbonize the industry. "The debt and low interest rate problem was also already there. They will flare up again due to the measures that politicians and central banks around the world have taken to support the economy and cushion the social consequences of the pandemic. How all this will affect the global economy and our business in the short, medium and long term remains to be seen. But there will be changes," says Altendorf

11:02 a.m.

Altendorf: "We cannot yet assess the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. But the crisis will certainly leave its mark - on our customers and on us. Moreover, we are not dealing with the coronavirus alone. The economic consequences of the pandemic are coming up against an already difficult political and economic situation."

11:00 a.m.

What happens next? Altendorf is certain: "The coronavirus won't disappear from our lives any time soon. Hopefully there will soon be a vaccine and an effective medicine. But it could be months or years before that happens. Until then, we have to live with the pandemic and find our way in this new normality." Employees are slowly returning to the office from home. New rules must now be observed: Distance, strict hygiene, mouth-nose masks as soon as you leave your desk.

10:57 a.m.

According to Altendorf, the last few weeks have shown that the company's 2020+ strategy is setting the right priorities. The strategy focuses on the digitalization of products, solutions and services, interaction and collaboration with customers and colleagues.

10:53 am

Endress + Hauser acquired Analytik Jena in 2013. Despite its focus on industry, Analytik Jena still supplies customers in medicine, research and science. During the coronavirus pandemic, the company is now supplying equipment for detecting the virus. "Our colleagues from Analytik Jena China quickly checked how available coronavirus tests can be used on our devices. In webinars, they taught around 1,000 interested parties how the genetic material of the virus can be reliably detected. And they have equipped several hospitals in China with appropriate laboratory technology - including the emergency hospital in Wuhan, which has become famous because it was built in just ten days," says Altendorf.

10:51 am

During the coronavirus pandemic, access to the endress.com website increased. Customers were able to buy products with a personalized account. Altendorf: "Our customers' interest in these options has grown enormously during the coronavirus crisis. We now have more than one million visitors a month on our website, an increase of 20 percent compared to 2019. Online order intake via endress.com is currently 90 percent up on the previous year. In a dozen countries, digital business now accounts for more than 10 percent of sales - a respectable figure for our consulting-intensive products. This shows where the journey is heading. "

10:48 a.m.

Employees were sent to work from home. At peak times, up to 10,000 employees worked from home.

10:45 a.m.

From the outset, the motto was "better to do too much too soon than too little too late", says Altendorf. The health of employees, customers and partners had been a priority right from the start. It was also important to provide customers with the best possible support - especially those operating in systemically relevant areas.

10:44 a.m.

According to Altendorf, the result is overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic: "But since the first reports of the outbreak of a new type of lung disease spread in January, the coronavirus has dominated our lives, both professionally and privately. so of course you are all interested today in how we are dealing with this situation and what impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on our business," says Altendorf

10:40 am

The company increased its net sales by 8% to 2.65 billion euros. The return on sales was 13%. Profit before tax rose to 266 million euros.

10:36 a.m.

Matthias Altendorf, CEO of Endress+Hauser, opens the press conference. "2019 was a good year for Endress+Hauser. In normal times, we would now spend almost an entire hour talking about this year. About how broad-based our growth was and how balanced our development was. Because all product areas, sectors and regions have contributed to this success. And we have not neglected sustainability. But looking back is not the focus today," says Altendorf