GKD: record sales in 2019 and positive expectations for 2020
GKD 
In financial year 2019 the technical weaver GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG, Düren/Germany, increased sales by 12.7 % to €107.4 million (2018: €95.3 million). Significant drivers of this success were the process belt mesh (photo) (+37.4%) and industrial mesh (+15.3%) divisions. Regionally, GKD USA recorded the strongest sales growth (+30.3%), followed by Asia (+19.7%) and Africa (+15.3%). Investments amounting to €7.3 million (+52%) – for construction projects at the German headquarters as well as machinery and installations – laid the foundations for further growth.
The industrial mesh division recorded strong growth particularly in the areas of automotive, raw materials extraction, and general filtration. The main driver behind the success of the process belt division was the significant increase in capacity generated by the production site in the USA constructed in 2018. Very strong demand from the wood, corrugated board, and nonwovens industries also contributed to the very good sales trend in this division.
For the current financial year, GKD is expecting a positive result despite the corona crisis. The pandemic has left its mark in all business divisions and subsidiaries of GKD in the 1st half of 2020 through temporary shutdowns of operations in China, India, South Africa, and Chile. However, these were compensated by the other factories, enabling the high expectations for sales development to be met.
For the current financial year, GKD is expecting a positive result despite the corona crisis. The pandemic has left its mark in all business divisions and subsidiaries of GKD in the 1st half of 2020 through temporary shutdowns of operations in China, India, South Africa, and Chile. However, these were compensated by the other factories, enabling the high expectations for sales development to be met.
