2023 Management Report
RUAG International′s Space segment looks back on a challenging 2023. Despite impacts from inflation and supply chain issues, the space market experienced robust growth in 2023, driven by increasing commercial investment and technological advances. Demand for satellite launches and space missions rose sharply and private companies again played a significant role. However, economic factors, such as global financial market volatility and geopolitical tensions, were also felt in the space market.
Sales in 2023 increased by 8 % to CHF 383 million (previous year: CHF 356 million). EBIT recovered from CHF –5 million to a black zero (CHF 0 million) while making massive investments in the expansion of production and digital infrastructure, thus laying the foundation for profitable growth. At CHF 408 million (CHF 439 million) and CHF 729 million (CHF 744 million) respectively, order intake and order backlog are both at a high level. The full order books thus ensure long-term production capacity utilization and allow us to look to the future with confidence.
Satellites division
The Satellites division employs around 750 people at sites in Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, the USA and Finland. The unit bundles all of Beyond Gravity′s satellite activities and supplies mission-critical products for a wide range of satellite missions for commercial and institutional customers. With the exception of the propulsion system, all core elements of a satellite are offered: from the satellite structure, the on-board computer and other electronics to thermal protection, various mechanisms and slip rings.
The division offers first-class engineering, production expertise and capacities as well as project management for commercial and institutional customers, such as for the second generation of the European global satellite navigation system Galileo. In 2024, the division plans to grow further, invest significantly in research & development and further expand its existing sites. Oliver Grassmann has been in charge of the division since 2023. He took over in mid-May 2023 from Anders Linder, who left the company.
Launchers division
The Launchers division encompasses the development and production of composite structures and dispenser systems for launch vehicles. For decades, Beyond Gravity′s payload fairings, interstage adapters, dispensers, payload adapters and separation systems have been the first choice for space companies such as Amazon, ArianeGroup, United Launch Alliance and many other space companies in Europe, the USA, Japan and Australia. The division has 630 employees in three countries: Switzerland (Emmen, Zurich), Sweden (Linköping) and the USA (Decatur).
For the Launchers division, 2023 was characterized by the development and expansion of the two sites in Linköping and Decatur. Production capacities at both sites are currently being doubled with a view to processing the orders secured in 2022 for Amazon′s Kuiper satellite constellation. The commissioning of new production halls at both sites is planned for 2024; they should be running at full capacity from 2025. The division has been headed by Paul Horstink since 2022.
Lithography division
The Lithography division, with 240 employees and departments at the two sites in Zurich (CH) and Coswig (DE), manufactures high-precision actuators, mechanical assemblies and metrology and testing equipment for the nanometre-precise exposure of semiconductor wafers. These are used worldwide in machines for the production of microchips and thus form the basis for numerous high-tech applications such as in smartphones or in the field of artificial intelligence.
In 2023, the division continuously expanded its production capacity in close cooperation with its main customer Zeiss SMT. The highlight of the year was the expansion of the clean room in Zurich-Seebach by 135 %. Further increases in production are also planned for 2024. The division has been headed by Dr Oliver Kunz since 2022.
New Digital & Innovation Hub in Lisbon
In autumn 2023, Beyond Gravity opened a new location in Lisbon. The Digital & Innovation Hub supports the divisions in their transformation and promotes innovation collaboration between the 14 locations. The development and planned expansion to 200 employees in 2025 will enable Beyond Gravity to tap into Portugal′s attractive talent pool in the fields of engineering and digital technologies. Beyond Gravity will thus become the largest space company in Portugal.
Step into the digital future
During the reporting period, Beyond Gravity invested heavily in the company′s digital transformation. The EZYone project aims to build a strong digital core for Beyond Gravity, harmonize processes, create a solid database and implement a uniform system landscape. These measures will enable smooth collaboration across different locations. They also create the basis to expand the company′s digital expertise, foster innovation, strengthen employee loyalty, reduce administrative costs and lay the foundation for the increased use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented reality and other forward-looking technologies.
Outlook
The market environment in the global space business continues to develop positively in view of the rising demand for rocket launches, the expansion of satellite infrastructure and increasing investment by commercial players. The main objective for Beyond Gravity in 2024 is to promote products and programmes that contribute to good profitability. Each of the three divisions is expected to be profitable in 2024. Investments will continue to flow into the digital transformation and the commissioning of the expanded production sites in Linköping and Decatur in 2024.
"Beyond Gravity can proudly point to full order books. This underlines the company's strong position as a key player in the global space market."
