Bühler demonstrated its reliability and strength as a trusted partner for its stakeholders in 2025. Thanks to its broad and innovative product portfolio, global footprint, and strong supply chain, Bühler expanded into new markets and grew market share in key sectors. In a challenging global climate for investment goods, order intake in local currencies was stable. Turnover decreased, reflecting the low order intake in the prior year. Through strong cost discipline and focus on internal productivity gains, the company was able to increase its EBIT margin to 8.0% (prior year: 7.6%). This enables Bühler to continue to invest in innovative solutions for customers. 

In a climate of high uncertainty, Bühler seized growth opportunities in regions and grew market share in key sectors. “We demonstrated resilience and strength to continuously innovate for our customers and invest in future growth,” says Stefan Scheiber, CEO up to the end of 2025 and Chairman of the Board.

“We largely offset negative business effects thanks to our global setup, strong supply chain network, and strong customer orientation. Our business has proven it can withstand challenging market conditions. We are grateful for our customers’ trust and confidence in our solutions and services. I am very proud and thankful for what our employees have achieved this year. Our company is built on remarkable talent, and we will continue to invest in our culture of lifelong learning to anticipate and shape the future of our industry,” Stefan Scheiber adds. He also points out how Bühler successfully managed transitions at Board level, ensuring continuity, renewal, and long-term business success as a strong and independent family enterprise.

Order intake at Group level was stable in local currencies, showing a slight decline of 0.5% (in Swiss francs, order intake declined by 3.9% to CHF 2.7 billion). Turnover at Group level contracted by 4.4% in local currencies (in Swiss francs a decrease of 7.8% to CHF 2.8 billion) due to the effects of lower orders in the previous year as well as timing effects from project execution and delayed material deliveries in some markets.

Bühler took decisive action to address the development of turnover proactively through a stronger utilization of its global supply chain network, increased productivity gains in manufacturing and logistics, and continued optimization of its administrative and support functions. As a result of disciplined cost management, internal productivity, and operational excellence, Bühler was able to increase its EBIT margin to 8.0% (prior year: 7.6%) despite a lower turnover. Following the exceptional improvement in cash generation during the prior year, net liquidity further increased because of higher operational efficiency, disciplined project management, and a targeted reduction in net working capital. “Our strong financial position gives us the flexibility to advance our customers’ businesses through innovation, serve them in more markets globally, and support them throughout the asset lifecycle with expanded services,” says CFO Mark Macus.  

Broad business portfolio as a driver of success 

Bühler’s broad solutions and customer services portfolio continued to provide the foundation of its market success in 2025. Grains & Food had an encouraging, positive year with stable orders and gained market share in several segments, while Advanced Materials retained market share but experienced lower orders due to subdued market activity. The Customer Service business, a key differentiator for Bühler and value generator for customers globally, increased its share of Group turnover for the third year in a row.

Grains & Food reported a decrease in orders of 1.1% to CHF 2,147 million. Within Grains & Food, the Chocolate & Coffee business showed an outstanding performance with order intake rising by 31.0% to CHF 325 million. Value Nutrition achieved double-digit order growth of 12.7%. Grain Quality & Supply and Consumer Foods orders decreased by 7.4% and 8.8% respectively. Milling Solutions order intake decreased by 14.3% from a historically high level in 2024. 

Advanced Materials experienced a decline in orders, down 15.2% to CHF 551 million. The business was impacted by weak investment activity in the automotive sector, uncertainties in Europe, and increased competitive pressure in China. Die Casting was affected most, with a 37.9% decrease in orders, as several large-scale megacasting projects materialized more slowly than expected. Grinding & Dispersing, by contrast, achieved significant growth of 51.0%, supported by large battery-related projects and renewed activity in inks, coatings, and food applications. Leybold Optics recorded an 8.3% decline in orders.  

Customer Service: long-term performance partnerships with customers

Fast, professional, and reliable services are a cornerstone of Bühler’s strategy to help customers grow their business while lowering their footprint. With more than 30,000 active customers with Bühler machines operating in the field, the installed base is a unique lever for improving yield, energy efficiency, and uptime across global food and materials value chains. In 2025, the Customer Service increased its share of total turnover to 38.3% (prior year: 35.4%). The number of long-term service agreements with customers increased significantly from 2,500 to more than 3,000 across all businesses and regions.   

Geographic balance provides stability and opportunities 

Bühler’s global setup and network remained balanced, with some regional shifts. US order intake declined by 31% amid tariff-related uncertainty and customers deferring investments in plants and solutions. The strongest growth in turnover originated from Africa, which for the first time became the largest region for Bühler’s food and feed businesses. The continued strength of the Middle East, Africa & India region – with particularly high growth in Africa and the Middle East – in part offset slower performance in the Americas and Asia.  

Networking Days 2025 – multiplying impact together 

In 2025, Bühler hosted its fourth Networking Days, bringing together 1,000 global leaders from business, science, and policy to explore how collective action can accelerate progress in food, feed, and mobility. At the heart of the Networking Days was the scientific assessment of 15 industrial value chains across Bühler’s three main industries. The results confirmed that in 11 of these value chains it is possible to reduce energy, waste, water, and CO₂e emissions by at least 50% using Bühler technologies that are already available and being implemented today. With the related technology development, Bühler delivered on its promise to its customers to have solutions ready to multiply by 2025 that reduce energy, waste, and water by 50% in their supply chains. The company also made continued progress along its internal sustainability journey, lowering its emissions to 30% below the 2019 baseline. 

Reinforcing its commitment to purposeful innovation that drives both performance and sustainability, Bühler’s expenditure on R&D amounted to CHF 131 million in 2025 – 4.8% of turnover (previous year: 4.6%). During the year, the company launched around 60 new products.  

Leadership transition – continuity, renewal, and long-term perspective 

In 2025, Bühler also successfully managed transitions at Board level, ensuring continuity, renewal, and long-term business success. Bühler will remain an independent family enterprise owned by the fifth generation of the founding family. As part of the planned succession for 2026, the Board of Directors proposed Stefan Scheiber as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors. He was elected at the Annual General Meeting in February, succeeding Calvin Grieder, who is retiring after 25 years of service as CEO, Board Member, and Chairman of the Board. At the Annual General Meeting, Linda Yang and Frank N.J. Braeken did not stand for re-election. Both have served on the Board of Directors since 2014, thereby reaching the maximum term of office of 12 years as defined in the company's Articles of Incorporation. Samuel Schär, who has held leadership positions in the company since 2005, and was Chief Services & Sales Officer since 2020, succeeded Stefan Scheiber as CEO of Bühler effective January 1, 2026. This carefully prepared succession ensures stability, continuity, and strong alignment with Bühler’s values as an independent family-owned company. 

Bühler’s Grains & Food business also announced a planned leadership change. After a decade of successful leadership, Johannes Wick stepped down as CEO at the end of 2025 to assume a new strategic role within the Group. He is succeeded by Mike Häfeli, a long-time Bühler leader with over 25 years of experience following an apprenticeship at the company with additional studies. Mike Häfeli is CEO Grains & Food and Member of the Executive Board as of January 1, 2026.  

Outlook 2026: confidence and focus

Bühler expects the volatile market environment to persist into 2026. With its clear strategic direction and backed by a robust financial base, Bühler is well positioned to capture emerging opportunities, strengthen its market positions, and deliver lasting value for all stakeholders in 2026 and beyond.