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 9 percent in the fourth quarter to SEK 1,141m (1,050). The organic sales growth amounted to 6 percent and the acquired growth amounted to 3 percent. Exchange rate changes had a marginally negative impact on net sales. EBITA increased by 6 percent to SEK 161m (152), corresponding to an EBITA-margin of 14.1 percent (14.5). 

Labtech's net sales increased by 4 percent in the financial year to SEK 3,797m (3,654), whereof the organic sales growth amounted to 3 percent and the acquired growth amounted to 2 percent. Exchange rate changes had a negative impact of 1 percent on net sales. EBITA decreased by 6 percent to SEK 445m (473), corresponding to an EBITA-margin of 11.7 percent (12.9). 

Sales and margins improved significantly in the fourth quarter after the seasonally weaker third quarter.

Organic growth was strong, reaching 6% in the quarter. Activity in diagnostics and pharmaceutical research remains high, while activity in academic research is still somewhat subdued. During the quarter, some positive signs of increased activity in academic research were observed.

Sales of reagents and other disposable products continued to grow steadily. Instrument sales improved significantly in the fourth quarter after the weaker third quarter. The increased instrument sales were driven, among other things, by deliveries related to newly won procurements and the completion of deliveries within previously planned projects. Sales of newly launched advanced products also improved.

Eastern Europe also had a strong fourth quarter this year with many deliveries and project invoicing, although this effect was not as strong as the previous year.

The recently acquired company BonsaiLab continued to develop well and in line with our plans. Growth is high and margins are good. Additional products have been added to the portfolio during the quarter.