SCM Group’s woodworking division has recorded impressive 2015 performance, with sales topping €380m, confirming its position as one of the world’s largest players in this sector.

Andrea Aureli, the SCM Group chief executive officer, underscored the 2015 results: “We are extremely pleased with the 2015 results. We closed the year with over €500m in sales, a 10% growth compared to 2014, and with €56m gross operating margin, a net profit of €17m and debt down to zero.

“We also recorded significant achievements in overseas markets, which account for 90% of our business. We opened three new branches in Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and the US West Coast, expanding our already widespread international network.”

Mr Andrea Aureli also stressed the importance of investments the Group intends to make as part of its future business plans: “Our 2016-2018 business plan is to continue to make significant investments in R&D to fill market needs. These investments, along with our unique ability to identify the specific needs of our customers, give us the power to develop effective business solutions.”

Luigi De Vito, director of the SCM Group Woodworking Machinery Division, presented the results of the Woodworking Division: “With our Woodworking Machinery Division – whose offering addresses the entire secondary wood processing sector, with a market value estimated at €3,300m – we have reached a turnover exceeding €380m, a brilliant result which places us as the second player in the sector.

The Division’s turnover has increased by 23% compared to 2014, with over 17,000 machines sold. Mr De Vito explained that behind this growth: “The top performers are without a question two technologies: all models of our machining centres and our edgebanders achieving over 30% in orders total growth. Without forgetting a 16% rise in orders for our classic machines. Regarding specific markets, we are proud of our growth in the Western European area, a +40% surge, with Italy leading the way with +70%; followed by the Asia & Pacific markets, with a +60% growth.”

The SCM Group management announcing its results at the recent Holz Handwerk show in Germany