Last year's dividend stood at €0.30 per share. The proposed increase is a result of the earnings improvement and the high free cash flow in the 2021 fiscal year. At €120.8 million, free cash flow reached the highest level since 2016. EBIT before extraordinary effects doubled to €199.1 million following the pandemic-related decline in the previous year. Earnings after tax also rose considerably to €84.9 million. In total, Dürr AG plans a dividend payout of €34.6 million this year, equivalent to 40.7% of earnings after tax for 2021. The payout ratio is thus at the higher end of the range set by Dürr AG as part of its dividend policy, which stands at 30% to 40% of earnings after tax.
Dr. Jochen Weyrauch, CEO of Dürr AG, says: “Thanks to the robust business performance in 2021, we are in a good position to increase the dividend payout to our shareholders. We want to continue the profitable growth trajectory this year and going forward. This is based on the promising business opportunities that are arising as a result of our customers’ growing demand for sustainable technologies.”
Profit-sharing bonus for employees
The employees also benefited from the good result. The Dürr Group’s pay-scale employees based in Germany already received a profit-sharing bonus of €2,250 in December. “Despite supply chain problems and the continuing pandemic, we achieved record order intake in 2021 and were able to double our earnings. This positive development is primarily thanks to the excellent dedication of all our employees,” says Dr. Jochen Weyrauch.