KERN LIEBERS Remains Focused on Its Core Business and Industrial Growth Areas Amid a Challenging Market Environment
The KERN LIEBERS Group closed the 2025/2026 fiscal year in a still challenging economic environment with revenue of 685 million euros, representing a decline of approximately -6% compared to the previous year’s level (2024/2025: 729 million euros). This decline includes one-time special and currency effects. Adjusted for these effects, the decline in revenue amounts to approximately -3%. The automotive industry in Germany, in particular, was once again characterized by weak demand, structural adjustment pressures, and increasing uncertainty. Against this backdrop, KERN LIEBERS is consistently implementing its long-term strategy: a clear focus on its core business, the strengthening of internationally competitive structures, targeted portfolio streamlining, and the expansion of industrial segments outside the traditional automotive business.
Dr. Erek Speckert, CEO of the KERN LIEBERS Group, explains: “The business environment in Germany remains challenging. Especially in automotive-related business, we are seeing overcapacity and high cost pressures. This makes it all the more important that we are positioned to compete internationally and continue to expand our market position in high-growth industrial applications, such as medical technology. We successfully achieved this in the past fiscal year.”
“Our strategic focus is paying off,” emphasizes Speckert. “We are focusing on markets where we are technological leaders with our Smart Parts and Smart Springs and can achieve profitable, long-term growth. However, this also involves continuously and critically reviewing our portfolio and plant structure and, where necessary, adapting them to changing market conditions.
The KERN LIEBERS Group invested 20 million euros in new projects and machinery during the past fiscal year—equivalent to 3% of revenue. The focus was on automation, digitalization, and the expansion of production capacity in high-growth regions.
In light of the ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties, KERN LIEBERS is refraining from providing a specific forecast for the current fiscal year.
The KERN LIEBERS Group currently employs 5,850 people worldwide, including 2,590 in Germany and 1,040 at its headquarters in Schramberg-Sulgen.
