SMS group has continued its positive development in the 2024 fiscal year. While it is true that order intake dropped from 5.0 billion to 3.6 billion euros, it remains above the average over the last ten years. The exceptionally high order intake in the previous year was the result of a major order from thyssenkrupp Steel. Sales, on the other hand, rose by around 600 million euros last year (+17.6 percent). Net liquidity also remained high.

“Despite geopolitical tensions and a challenging market environment, 2024 was a successful year for us. We benefit from our diversified position and the globally sustainable trends towards decarbonization and the circular economy. We are therefore confident that we will achieve our short and medium-term profitability targets,” says Jochen Burg, CEO of SMS group.

SMS significantly improved its earnings before taxes, which, at 153 million euros, were clearly above the previous year’s figure of minus 20 million euros. “We have cut our costs, closed down non-profitable areas, and made the organization more efficient. This puts us in a good position,” says Fabíola Fernandez, CFO of SMS group. 

SMS has successfully strengthened its service business, encompassing the servicing, modernization, digitalization, and expansion of plant and equipment. One example of this is the twelve-year service agreement concluded with Swedish company Stegra, for which SMS is building the world’s first steel plant to be operated entirely with green hydrogen. In addition, last year we acquired IMS, a service company for electrical and automation systems, which is based in the US and has around 130 employees. Going forward, the plan is to generate up to 50 percent of sales from the service business.

Green steel projects “made in Mönchengladbach”

SMS is advancing the transformation of the steel industry with a range of innovative technologies. This autumn, SMS will take over the construction site at thyssenkrupp Steel in Duisburg, where a direct reduction plant is being built. In Sweden, Stegra will launch climate-neutral steel production at the end of 2026. In addition, SMS has received an order from Saarstahl for one of the world’s most powerful alternating-current electric arc furnaces for CO₂-neutral steel production. “We are involved in a large number of leading projects around the world aimed at decarbonizing the metals industry. This highlights the key role we play,” says Jochen Burg.

Focus on India and the USA as growth markets

Against the backdrop of global uncertainty and increasing trade barriers, SMS’s regional diversification is paying off. Sales and project handling activities are organized in the Americas, Europe, China, and APAC & MEA regions. In India especially, SMS is expecting to see a growing number of orders in the years ahead. The company is currently investing in the construction of another production site in Ahmedabad in the Indian state of Gujarat. While Europe is leading the way in green steel projects, the focus in the Americas region is on expanding the service business. In the USA alone, SMS operates numerous service workshops directly on the customers’ premises. 

SMS firms up ESG strategy 

SMS group has continued to firm up its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy and embedded it in the organization. In 2023, a sustainability framework was developed in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and is being operationalized on an ongoing basis. The signing of the UN Global Compact in 2024 underlines the central importance of ESG in the way the group operates.

In the social sphere, binding targets on gender diversity have been set. “ESG is a strategic success factor for us. This also includes taking responsibility for our employees and promoting diversity and ethical corporate governance,” adds Fabíola Fernandez. SMS technologies are helping to reduce customers’ ecological footprint. At the same time, SMS is working intensively on improving its own ecological footprint and setting comprehensive CO₂-reduction targets. Concrete measures to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 have already been set out for the major locations. Since March 2025, SMS has also been a member of the Stiftung KlimaWirtschaft (German CEO Alliance for Climate and Economy), working actively with other sponsor companies to promote climate protection and sustainable economic practices. 

SMS looking ahead with optimism 

For the 2025 fiscal year, SMS expects a slightly higher order intake, with sales at the same level as the previous year. Earnings are expected to rise again, with a target earnings margin of around seven percent by 2027.

Download here the annual report.