Zumtobel Group reported a first-quarter net profit of €4.2 million for fiscal 2026/27, reversing a €4.0 million loss a year earlier, as adjusted earnings before interest and taxes climbed 25% to €8.2 million despite flat revenues of €264.1 million.
Group revenues declined 0.9% year-over-year on a reported basis and 1.4% on a currency-adjusted basis, with the lighting segment—accounting for about 80% of total revenue—posting a modest 0.2% increase to €211.1 million. The components segment saw a 4.8% decline to €67.5 million. Adjusted gross profit margin expanded 70 basis points to 37.4%, while adjusted EBIT margin rose to 3.1% from 2.5% in the prior-year period.
Net profit swung to €4.2 million from a €4.0 million loss, with earnings per share at €0.11 compared with a loss of €0.09 previously. Reported EBIT totaled €7.5 million, up from a €0.8 million loss a year earlier, as one-time charges narrowed to €0.7 million from €7.4 million.
Cost reductions supported margins, with adjusted cost of goods sold falling 2.0% to €165.2 million and adjusted SG&A expenses declining 0.7% to €90.7 million. Operating cash flow turned negative at €4.1 million, while free cash flow was negative €16.4 million, compared with negative €10.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Net debt increased to €148.1 million from €128.5 million at the end of fiscal 2025/26, leaving the debt coverage ratio at 1.64, below the covenant threshold of 3.55.
Regional performance varied, with Asia-Pacific and the Americas & MEA regions posting double-digit revenue growth of 14.6% and 19.8%, respectively. In contrast, the D/A/CH region—comprising Germany, Austria and Switzerland—declined 5.0%, while Southern and Eastern Europe fell 4.4%. Northern and Western Europe grew 2.5%.
The company maintained its full-year guidance, projecting revenues to remain at prior-year levels of about €1.04 billion and adjusted EBIT margin between 3% and 5%, equating to €31 million to €52 million. Capital expenditure is expected to reach around €50 million, excluding IFRS 16, while an ongoing efficiency program targets additional savings of €7 million to €10 million in the current fiscal year.
Heiner Lang is set to assume the role of CEO on October 1, 2026, succeeding the outgoing leadership team as the company navigates a challenging construction sector environment.
