Zumtobel Group posted a fourth consecutive quarter of improved profitability as its adjusted earnings before interest and taxes rose 24.2% to €8.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026/27, up from €6.6 million a year earlier. The Austrian lighting manufacturer also reported a net profit of €4.2 million, reversing a €3.3 million loss in the year-ago period.
Group revenue declined 0.9% year-over-year to €264.1 million, with the lighting segment generating €211.1 million, a 0.2% increase. Adjusted EBIT in the lighting division climbed 7.0% to €12.2 million, lifting its margin to 5.9% from 4.3%. The components segment, which contributed €67.5 million in revenue—a 4.8% decrease—posted adjusted EBIT of €1.4 million, slightly above the prior year.
Gross margin expanded by 70 basis points to 37.4%, while the group’s adjusted EBIT margin reached 3.1%, up from 2.5%. Earnings per share totaled €0.11, compared with a loss per share in the year-earlier quarter. Cash flow from operating activities turned negative at €4.2 million, down from €1.3 million, as capital expenditures rose to €12.2 million. Free cash flow stood at minus €16.4 million, compared with minus €10.6 million a year ago.
The company maintained its full-year outlook, targeting revenue roughly in line with the prior year and an adjusted EBIT margin between 3% and 5%. Management also outlined plans to pursue an additional €7 million to €10 million in annual efficiency savings during the current fiscal year. Capital expenditures are projected at approximately €50 million, with data center projects in the Nordics expected to contribute recurring revenue streams valued between €1 million and €1.5 million per project.
Heiner Lang, who assumes the CEO role on October 1 following Alfred Felder’s tenure, emphasized a listening phase to understand operations before presenting half-year results in December. Felder noted that implemented measures were yielding positive results despite ongoing challenges, highlighting the potential of the data center business for long-term service agreements.
