Würth – Würth Group returns to growth

Sales teams as the driver of success, with digitalization and AI strengthening the field sales force

 

• Sales volume rises to EUR 20.7 billion
• Equity ratio rises above 50 percent for the first time
• E-business share in total sales exceeds 25 percent

Ralf Schaich, Member of the Central Management Board of the Würth Group, Sigrid Schneider, Public Relations Officer of the Würth Group, and Robert Friedmann, Chairman of the Central Management Board of the Würth Group, at the Press Conference on the Annual Financial Statements.

© Würth/Peter Petter

 

Robert Friedmann, Chairman of the Central Management Board of the Würth Group, at the Press Conference on the Annual Financial Statements.

© Würth/Peter Petter

 

 

After a slight decline in sales in 2024, the Würth Group returned to growth in 2025. The globally operating group of companies, leading in the development, production, and sale of assembly and fastening materials, closed the 2025 fiscal year reporting sales of EUR 20.7 billion (2024: EUR 20.2 billion). This corresponds to an increase of 2.3 percent, or 3.2 percent after adjustments to reflect currency effects. The operating result, too, was up on the previous year at EUR 970 million (2024: EUR 940 million). 

The global challenges have not diminished. Nevertheless, we were able to continue on our growth trajectory. While the manufacturing industry remains in a period of weakness, limiting stronger sales growth, the business units serving the skilled trades continued their stable development.

Robert Friedmann, Chairman of the Central Management Board of the Würth Group

 

The German companies of the Würth Group closed the 2025 fiscal year reporting sales of EUR 8.0 billion, a slight increase of 1.0 percent. The companies outside Germany recorded growth of 3.2 percent (4.7 percent adjusted for currency effects), achieving sales of EUR 12.6 billion.

Within the Würth Line, the Construction division (+6.3 percent) and the Auto division (+1.6 percent) posted positive performance. Among the Allied Companies, the Electrical Wholesale (+7.3 percent), Chemicals (+6.7 percent), and Electronics (+4.6 percent) business units outperformed overall Group growth.

The e-business segment also recorded above-average growth. Sales through the Group’s digital sales channels totaled EUR 5.2 billion, bringing their share in total Würth Group sales to a new high of 25.2 percent.

At the end of 2025, the Würth Group employed 86,415 people (2024: 88,393), around 44,000 of whom worked in sales.

The Group’s equity rose to EUR 9.7 billion (2024: EUR 9.2 billion), which is an increase of 5.1 percent. The equity ratio exceeded 50 percent for the first time, reaching 50.5 percent in 2025 (2024: 47.9 percent). S&P Global Ratings once again confirmed the Würth Group’s A rating, underscoring the Group’s financial strength and providing flexibility for forward-looking investments.

The challenges facing the skilled trades and industry are becoming increasingly complex. A shortage of skilled labor, documentation requirements, and growing cost and time pressures demand maximum flexibility in day‑to‑day operations. 

Against this backdrop, our customers expect intelligent, practical solutions across the board. By consistently leveraging modern technologies, digitalization, and artificial intelligence, we provide tangible relief and help strengthen our customers’ competitive position. 

Robert Friedmann, Chairman of the Central Management Board of the Würth Group

 

The ORSY®mat WGT uses built-in weighing cells to detect when items have been removed and automatically reorders them and tracks consumption.

© Würth/Peter Petter

 

The ORSY® System Rack Sensor monitors stock levels using a light sensor and automatically reorders when necessary. Stock levels can be viewed at any time via the ORSY® Cockpit app.

© Würth/Peter Petter

 

Our customers are increasingly sourcing products through digital channels. At the same time, our field sales representatives remain the central points of contact for our customers. Digital solutions and AI help them fulfill this role even more effectively. “At Würth, technology does not create distance. Instead, it creates real proximity,” Friedmann added.

 

This strategic focus is essential to securing the Group’s long‑term future. Looking ahead, global challenges will remain unpredictable in 2026 and continue to weigh on the economy. High labor and energy costs are preventing economic momentum from taking hold in Germany as well. Leading economic institutes have already lowered their forecasts for 2026 and currently expect only modest growth of 0.6 percent for Germany. 

“If policymakers fail to improve structural conditions, above all by accelerating processes, we risk seeing many industrial companies invest abroad in the future,” said Friedmann. “That would result in a loss of value creation and jobs in Germany.”

 

In the first four months of 2026, the Würth Group increased its sales by 3.2 percent, or by 4.6 percent when adjusted for currency effects. 

“We have been successfully operating in volatile markets for decades and have always emerged from crises stronger than before. That gives us confidence. The skilled trades will also continue to play an indispensable role as a foundation of our economy—today and tomorrow—as drivers of innovation and stability,” Friedmann concluded.

All content can also be found in our online 2025 Annual Report at www.wuerth.com/ar2025.

 

The Ai-driven chat assistant PICO creates more time for what truly matters in field sales: personal contact with customers.

© Würth/Peter Petter