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Transportation segment sees decline following good performance in 2023
After the positive development in the previous year, the Transportation segment achieved a lower result. Overall, order intake and net sales each decreased by 7.6 % to CHF 258.7 million (PY CHF 279.9 million) and CHF 263.6 million (PY CHF 285.5 million), respectively, due to the development of the automotive subsegment. The electric vehicle (EV) growth initiative was impacted by sluggish demand for commercial vehicles, while progress in the ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) business was slower than expected. In contrast, the larger railway subsegment developed positively, closing 2024 with a slight increase in order intake and net sales. In this market, HUBER+SUHNER saw good demand in the rail communications growth initiative. Compared to the strong previous year, the EBIT margin decreased to 7.3 % (PY 9.1 %), which does not meet the long-term ambition level of HUBER+SUHNER.
“The development of the Transportation segment was influenced by diverging trends. Favourable market conditions continued in the railway market in 2024, including operators upgrading passenger information systems such as passenger wi-fi, especially in Europe and North America. Meanwhile, the automotive market – especially in Europe – faced major headwinds which impacted the adoption of new EV for commercial use. However, the trend towards EV persists with truck OEMs continuing major development projects for the next generation platforms and new designs proving as economically viable as traditional trucks. For the first time, an e-truck was awarded ‘International Truck of the Year 2025’."
Drew Nixon,COO Transportation segment
Our solutions for the Transportation market
Decline due to weak demand in the automotive market
The positive development of the railway business did not compensate for the significant downturn in the automotive subsegment, resulting in a decline for the Transportation segment following a good 2023.
The global railway business saw good demand for rail communications solutions, which was reflected in the result of the respective growth initiative. Significant investments are expected in this area in the coming years regarding both retrofitting existing fleets and equipping new rolling stock. The HUBER+SUHNER solutions address passenger demand for connectivity while also connecting the moving train to the fixed rail infrastructure.
Challenges faced by the automotive market in 2024, which affected both manufacturers and suppliers, were also felt by HUBER+SUHNER. This was reflected in weaker demand for high-voltage cable system solutions for commercial vehicles in the electric vehicle growth initiative, even though these solutions are expected to become established in the long term and manufacturers are already working on the next generation of e-trucks. Progress in the ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) business, which develops radar antennas for automated driving in passenger vehicles, was slower than expected, and it is therefore no longer classified as a growth initiative.
