In the first quarter of 2025, Bechtle AG continued to face the impact of challenging economic conditions. As expected by Bechtle, preliminary figures show a significant year-on-year decline in first-quarter earnings before taxes, a result that nevertheless falls short of market expectations.
Business volume was approximately €1,960 m, roughly on par with the previous year, though slightly down on an organic basis. Revenue declined by around 3% to approximately €1,460 m. EBT amounted to around €55 m, compared to €82.0 m in the same quarter of the previous year.
The year-on-year earnings decline is mainly attributable to increased personnel costs, driven in part by acquisitions made in 2024, and in part by a marked rise in non-wage labour costs. However, compared to Q4 2024, cost increases have slowed significantly.
Earnings were also adversely affected by lower bonus payments from manufacturing partners in the first quarter 2025. Furthermore, last year’s figure was positively influenced by €5 m in marketing allowances, which were not received in 2025.
In light of this anticipated development, the Executive Board is reaffirming its forecast for the year 2025. An uptick in demand in the second half—particularly from public-sector clients—should help to at least partially offset the declines from the first half of the year. Initial signs of recovery were already visible in April. In addition, Bechtle holds a historically high value of framework agreements with public-sector clients. These are expected to convert into actual incoming orders over the course of the year—particularly in Germany, following the formation of a new government.
Bechtle AG will publish its statement on the first quarter including the finalised figures on 09 May 2025.
