Construction industry: Hilti grows worldwide in local currencies, but feels the impact of the strong franc

The Liechtenstein-based company Hilti is also continuing to feel the effects of the strong franc. In local currencies, however, the construction equipment manufacturer made gains in the first four months of the current year 2026. The company also has a slightly more positive outlook for the future.

From January to April, Hilti generated sales of 2.07 billion Swiss francs, 1.5 percent less than in the previous year, as the Liechtenstein-based company announced on Thursday. The appreciation of the Swiss franc resulted in an even stronger negative currency effect of 6.2 percentage points. In local currencies, growth thus amounted to 4.7 percent.

Europe remains weak, other markets strong

In Europe, the largest market, sales rose by a moderate 0.8% in local currencies. According to the press release, the market environment here remains weak. In America, on the other hand, things went much better: sales (LC) rose by 9.6 percent. Hilti also recorded a strong increase of 17.5 percent in the Middle East and Africa. Although the environment in Asia/Pacific remained heterogeneous, growth of 6.6 percent was nevertheless recorded.

The tool manufacturer from Liechtenstein is now somewhat more optimistic for the rest of the year and is adjusting its outlook slightly upwards accordingly. For 2026 as a whole, the company is now targeting sales growth in the low to mid single-digit range in local currencies. With the annual figures in March, Hilti was still anticipating growth in the low single-digit range.