ARNO Werkzeuge achieves the best turnover in the company's history in 2023

Karl-Heinz Arnold GmbH closed the past year with a turnover of almost 58 million euros, setting a new sales record in the company's history. Despite the difficult environment, the increase of almost four per cent compared to the previous year is primarily due to growth in Germany, which accounts for almost 60 per cent of turnover. The export share is just under 40 per cent, but has developed differently in the regions. In terms of products, tools for consulting-intensive processes that are manufactured in-house and always available increased at an above-average rate. Tool sales via the e-shop increased by more than 40 per cent. The family-run company aims to grow again in 2024 and continues to focus on customer proximity through expert on-site advice.

"This pleasing record confirms earlier decisions and our focus on being close to customers and users with a great deal of consulting expertise," confirms Simon Storf, one of the Managing Directors at Arno Werkzeuge. With a turnover of 57.6 million euros in 2023, Karl-Heinz Arnold GmbH achieved the best figure in the 82-year history of the family-run company in Ostfildern. Traditionally, those responsible say nothing about the result. However, it did not grow to the same extent because price and wage increases as well as material costs dampened the development.

Growth in Germany, stable exports

The increase in turnover of around four per cent compared to the previous year is exclusively due to growth in Germany. Here, Arno Werkzeuge has around 30 application consultants and is always close to its customers. Sales in the north increased by 4.6 per cent to 13.6 million and in the south by three per cent to 21.3 million. Sales abroad remained virtually stable at 21.9 million. The strongest market is the UK, which developed very well with growth of ten per cent. Arno Werkzeuge's customers there are active in many demanding sectors such as aerospace. Italy and the USA, on the other hand, recorded low growth.

Sales via the Cellarno e-shop have developed favourably. Sales in the online shop, which was launched in Germany in 2021 and in Italy in 2023, increased by 40% to 5.1 million euros within a year. Registered customers predominantly make repeat purchases of tools they have already used. In terms of products, three groups account for around half of sales at just under 29 million euros. The largest group is solid carbide tools, followed by high-positive tools and the SA parting-off system range. Sales of the linear slide for swiss type machines (AWL system) for fast tool changes have grown at an above-average rate. In times of a shortage of skilled labour, this confirms the demand for semi-automated turning processes that can be carried out with minimal manpower.

Investments emphasise confident goals

In 2024, those responsible at Arno Werkzeuge see further opportunities for growth. Despite pessimistic predictions from economic experts, the family business is aiming for a turnover of over 60 million euros. "Demanding tasks in connection with the transformation require complex machining processes. Customers need the right tools with the right consulting expertise for this," says Storf. Investments in the location and international sales underline this confidence.