After records in 2020, Chargeurs announces lower net profit in the first half of 2021

The net profit in the first half is down 14,8% compared to the same period last year, the group said in a statement on Thursday. However, it has almost tripled (+ 197,6%) compared to the first half of 2019, with the creation since of a division dedicated to sanitary products.

Sales are also down compared to 2020, with turnover of 372,4 million euros, a drop of 28,2%.

This was fueled by the decline in sales of the Healthcare Solutions (CHS) division which exploded in the second quarter of 2020 (253,9 million euros) with the health crisis, driven by the opening of production lines of masks.

"Chargeurs Healthcare Solutions recorded half-year sales of 71,3 million euros (in the first half of 2021, editor's note) thanks to the contribution of major contracts, which enabled the business to demonstrate and strengthen its leadership in the production of 'high-quality sanitary equipment,' however welcomes the group in a statement.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Chargeurs opened lines of textile masks in the north and Alsace by pivoting its industrial production tools linked to fashion and textiles. The latest productions are 100% recycled and 100% recyclable.

The more traditional activities of Chargeurs - protective films, interlining and technical fabrics - for their part observed a growth in their sales, reinforced by several small acquisitions, while the Luxury Materials division (high-end wool in particular) suffered from the downturn. "past fall in selling prices for wool".

The net profit per share in the first half of the year stood at 1,06 euro, "the second best half-year performance in the recent history of the group", specifies the latter.

In 2020, the group had more than doubled its net profit, to 41 million euros, thanks to the CHS division and the Chargeurs Museum Solutions division, focused on interior design and museum scenography.