Rieter H1 Sales Rise 72% As Barmag Integration Advances
Rieter reported a strong increase in order intake and sales for the first half of 2026, driven primarily by the first-time consolidation of Barmag following the completion of the largest acquisition in the company’s history.
Order intake rose 56% year-on-year to CHF 554.1 million, compared with CHF 355.4 million in the first half of 2025. Sales increased 72% to CHF 576.7 million, compared with CHF 336.2 million in the prior-year period. Barmag contributed CHF 261.3 million to the order intake during the five months since its consolidation on February 2, 2026.
The acquisition of the Man-Made Fiber Division has expanded Rieter’s portfolio into the growing man-made fiber segment and strengthened its position in Asia. The combined Group now positions itself as the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. Initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been achieved, while targeted synergies are expected to reach at least CHF 20 million by the end of 2028.
Rieter’s order backlog stood at approximately CHF 760 million as of June 30, 2026, compared with CHF 510 million a year earlier.
However, the company continued to face pressure on profitability due to low sales volumes and its existing capacity and fixed-cost structure. Operating EBIT stood at CHF -6.3 million, while the net loss widened to CHF 54.9 million, compared with a net loss of CHF 20.0 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow was CHF -96.3 million, impacted by the net loss and higher working capital requirements for orders scheduled for delivery in the second half of the year.
Rieter also announced a strategic partnership with Recycling Powerhouse in June 2026 to support the industrialisation and scaling of textile recycling. The collaboration will leverage Rieter’s expertise in textile waste tearing and short-fiber spinning to develop scalable circular solutions.
The company said early signs of market recovery are emerging in India and in its Components & Technology Division. Demand for consumables, wear and tear parts, and spare parts increased by 3%, indicating improving capacity utilisation at spinning mills and the potential for further investments.
Rieter has confirmed its full-year 2026 outlook, expecting sales between CHF 1.3 billion and CHF 1.5 billion and a positive operating EBIT margin in the range of 0% to 3%. The company expects 2026 to remain a transition year as it continues the integration of Barmag and implements restructuring measures announced in 2025.
