BUSINESS AREA

Labtech

Companies in the Labtech business area are active in the market areas diagnostics, biomedical research and laboratory equipment.

Labtech's net sales increased by 6 percent in the quarter to SEK 906m (852). The organic growth amounted to 9 percent and exchange rate changes had a negative impact on net sales by 3 percent. EBITA increased by 33 percent to SEK 102m (76), corresponding to an EBITA margin of 11.2 percent (8.9). Exchange rate fluctuations had a negative impact on EBITA, corresponding to SEK -2m.

Labtech’s net sales in the interim period increased by 8 percent to SEK 2,880m (2,656), of which organic sales increased by 9 percent and acquired growth amounted to 2 percent. Exchange rate changes had a negative impact on net sales of 3 percent. EBITA increased by 21 percent to SEK 343m (284), corresponding to an EBITA margin of 11.9 percent (10.7).

The companies within Labtech showed a strong performance during the third quarter. Sales in areas such as blood gas and immunology performed well, and recently awarded tenders are contributing to growth and profitability. Several companies are implementing efficiency initiatives, developing their service and sales efforts, and investing in digital marketing, which is already yielding results and is expected to continue strengthening sales and margins in the coming quarters.

Development within gene sequencing, an area identified as a priority, is strongly positive in several of the Labtech companies. These products and services are provided primarily in Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Southern Europe. This strong development is driven by long-term customer projects, which have now begun to yield results, as well as by new products being introduced in several markets.

Demand within the pharmaceutical industry remains strong, while there is still some caution regarding capital investments in academic research. In certain markets, primarily Sweden and Finland, there are now signs of increased activity within academic research. Sales to customers in research and product development within the industry continued to develop well.