Annual General Meeting of Krones AG approves dividend of 2.60 euros per share

• Krones Executive Board reported on the successful 2024 financial year and how the company will continue its profitable growth at the presence event
• Investments at home and abroad strengthen Krones' flexibility and resilience 
• Shareholders will receive an 18.2% higher dividend of €2.60 per share for the 2024 financial year compared to the previous year 

The 45th Annual General Meeting of Krones AG took place today as an in-person event at the marinaforum in Regensburg. The attendance rate, i.e. the proportion of the company's total share capital represented at the Annual General Meeting, was 80.94%. The shareholders approved all agenda items put to the vote by a large majority. 

Krones wants to continue to grow profitably in the future

CEO Christoph Klenk reported to shareholders that Krones was very successful in the 2024 financial year despite the difficult economic and geopolitical conditions. As a leading supplier of filling and packaging techno-logy for the beverage industry, the company is benefiting from the stable growth of the beverage and liquid food market, which is less affected by economic fluctuations. The market also offers good growth opportunities in the future, for example through digitalization and the trend towards sustainable products. Christoph Klenk explained how Krones is utilising these opportunities and remaining on course for profitable growth. ‘One of the biggest drivers of innovation and growth in the next decade will be sustainable products and digital services. Our customers‘ demand for machines, systems and complete lines that enable them to save resources and operating costs and reduce emissions has risen sharply in recent years,’ said the CEO.

In addition to product innovations, investments at home and abroad form the basis for the company's future success. Krones is investing in the automation of its German sites in order to increase their efficiency. The company is also expanding its infrastructure abroad, for example in China and India. Krones already expanded its site in the USA at the beginning of 2025 and is well prepared for possible US tariffs. Overall, Krones is strengthening the company's flexibility and resilience with its investments.

In 2024, all key financial figures and key non-financial figures developed positively

CFO Uta Anders presented the figures for the 2024 financial year and for the first quarter of 2025 to the shareholders. Krones continued to grow as planned in 2024 and, at €5.29 billion, achieved revenue of more than €5 billion for the first time. All key earnings figures also increased and Krones achieved all financial targets in 2024. The company's profitable growth continued in the first quarter of 2025. Uta Anders was also able to report to shareholders that key non-financial performance indicators also developed positively in the past financial year. Overall, Krones is well on track to achieve its sustainability targets for 2030. This also applies to the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions along the entire value chain to net zero by 2040. ‘Detailed information on targets, measures and results for all sustainability topics was published in March 2025 in the non-financial statement, which forms part of the Group management report. This year, the non-financial statement was prepared in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards for the first time and therefore contains significantly more key figures and is even more comprehensive and transparent than in previous years,’ explained Uta Anders.

Dividend increases to 2.60 euros per share

For the very successful 2024 financial year, Krones is distributing a dividend of €2.60 per share, 18.2% higher than in the previous year (previous year: €2.20 per share). The total dividend payout of €82.1 million corresponds to 30% of consolidated net income. This means that the payout ratio in 2024 is also at the upper end of the long-term target corridor of 25% to 30% of consolidated net income.

Management Board confirms targets for 2025 and the medium-term targets for 2028

Based on the currently expected development of the markets relevant to Krones, the Executive Board confirmed the forecast for the full year 2025 at the Annual General Meeting. Krones expects revenue growth of 7% to 9%, an EBITDA margin of 10.2% to 10.8% (2024: 10.1%) and a return on capital employed (ROCE) of 18% to 20% (2024: 18.2%) in the current financial year. 

The overall stable market environment and continued robust demand make Krones confident that it will continue on its profitable growth path in the future. The company has set itself ambitious medium-term financial targets up to 2028. The forecast for revenue in 2028 is around €7 billion. Krones plans to improve the EBITDA margin to between 11% and 13%. For the third financial target, ROCE, the company is aiming for a value of more than 20% by 2028.