Wienerberger records strong growth in H1 2022

The performance in the first half of 2022 was driven by high demand, ongoing efficiency-enhancing measures, excellent procurement management, and fast progress made in the integration of the companies acquired during the previous year, which delivered substantial contributions to earnings.

In the last weeks and months, Wienerberger has worked intensively to secure the energy supply at its 220 production sites. To this end, the company has drawn up emergency plans and worked closely with the national authorities. Based on our ambitious ESG strategy, we are accelerating our capital expenditure program aimed at the conversion of our production plants to sustainable energy sources, such as electricity, hydrogen, biogas, and synthetic gas. Our efforts are focused on local independent energy procurement and resources.

Performance of the Wienerberger Business Units

In the first half of 2022, Wienerberger Building Solutions delivered extremely satisfactory results although the residential housing markets were slightly declining (minus 2% to minus 5%). On the basis of high demand and a full order book the Wienerberger Building Solution Business generated strong growth of revenues and earnings. In the first six months of the year, external revenues rose by 22% to € 1,358.3 million (2022: € 1,115.4 million). Operating EBITDA increased steeply by 56% to € 341.4 million (2021: € 218.8 million) over the same period.

The Wienerberger Piping Solutions business unit delivered a very good performance in the first half of 2022 and continued its successful growth trend. In the field of infrastructure, the business unit again recorded strong demand for all-in system solutions for water and energy management. Solid demand at a satisfactory level was also seen in the in-house solutions segment. Overall, external revenues generated by Wienerberger Piping Solutions increased by 30% to € 742.2 million (2021: € 569.7 million), while operating EBITDA improved by 56% to € 92.7 million (2021: € 59.4 million).

Operating in a favorable market environment, the Wienerberger North America Business Unit again reported an outstanding increase in revenues and earnings in the first half of the year. This excellent result is attributable to consistently strong organic growth in the plastic pipe business, good performance of brick activities, and satisfactory contributions from the acquisition of Meridian Brick. Revenues more than doubled to € 470.6 million (2021: € 180.2 million) in the reporting period. Operating EBITDA reached an extraordinarily high level at € 111.2 million (2021: € 26.8 million).

Outlook for 2022

Wienerberger expects a stable development in the renovation segment in 2022. Substantial funds are available here to increase the energy efficiency of the aging building stock and thus reduce CO2 emissions (EU Green Deal as well as national initiatives). We also expect a similar stable development in the infrastructure segment, as additional funds are also available for the modernization and repair of water and energy networks in Europe and North America. Renovation and infrastructure accounted for 51% of Wienerberger's total market exposure in 2021. The new residential housing market is currently underbuilt, while demand for housing remains high. In light of the challenging market environment, Wienerberger expects the new build markets in Europe and North America to decline slightly in the second half of the year depending on individual markets up to minus 5% similar to the development in the first half of the year.