Bystronic Reports Q1 2026 Decline Amid Market Uncertainty

Bystronic AG reported a challenging first quarter in 2026, impacted by ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. The cautious investment behavior of customers led to a 4.0% decrease in order intake, amounting to CHF 148.0 million, compared to CHF 154.1 million in 2025. At constant exchange rates, however, this shows a 2.9% increase. Automation solutions saw a rise in demand during this period.

Net sales dropped significantly by 15.4%, from CHF 151.3 million to CHF 128.0 million, largely due to a shift toward fully automated systems that require longer lead times. Despite these challenges, Bystronic's order backlog increased by 20.5% year-over-year to CHF 290.5 million, aligning with the trend toward automation and digitalization.

The integration of Bystronic Rofin is progressing positively, contributing CHF 13.7 million in order intake and CHF 11.7 million in net sales. The company remains optimistic about increasing sales and profitability in 2026, despite the uncertain market environment.