(AOF) – The Ober Group, a specialist in decorative and technical solutions for interior fittings, achieved a turnover of 9 million euros in the first quarter of 2023, down 8.7% compared to the previous year. . This change is mainly explained by a high comparison base in the first quarter of 2022, which was up by more than 30%. Turnover for the Ober group amounted to 6.5 million euros, down 4% given an unfavorable basis for comparison.
The first quarter of 2022 was up 33%, fueled by the post-Covid economic recovery. International sales are stable and remain at a solid level, while sales in France are down (-8%) due to the slowdown in demand.
The performances by brand are contrasted with mainly a lower activity in Lorraine, partially offset by the solidity of Concrete LCDA in Anjou and by the sustained development of Shelter, an eyewear designer consolidated in the accounts of the Ober Group since January 1, 2022.
Stramiflex’s sales in Tunisia amounted to 2.6 million euros, down 18.6% compared to the first quarter of 2022, in a context of economic crisis marked by shortages and a strong inflation. Exchange rate fluctuations had an impact of -0.1 million euros on sales for the period.
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Lack of visibility
The National Union of Quarry and Building Materials Industries (Unicem) indicates that, after an initial downturn in the second quarter, activity continued to deteriorate in the third quarter and recorded a drop as much for aggregates (-1.3 %) than on ready-mixed concrete (-0.9%). Over the first nine months of the year, the decline was 2% for the materials business as a whole. Only tiles and bricks manage to show slight increases in activity.
The general outlook is deteriorating and recruitment difficulties and rising costs are the main sources of concern. Furthermore, Unicem underlines the difficulties in implementing the projects. The production of materials could decline this year by 3% for ready-mixed concrete (BPE) and 4% for aggregates.