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MEDIA RELEASE First information on 2020 Sales growth despite crisis IGEBERIT Geberit AG , Rapperswil - Jona , 14 January 2021 In 2020 , the sales development of the Geberit Group was impacted by the COVID - 19 pandemic and negative currency developments . In the second quarter in particular , restrictions enforced due to COVID - 19 resulted in a significant sales decrease in the individual markets , although this was offset in the second half of the year . While net sales of the Geberit Group decreased by 3.1 % to CHF 2986 million in Swiss francs in 2020 , growth of 1.3 % was achieved after currency adjustments . As a result , it was possible to increase sales despite the crisis and gain further market shares . In terms of results , Management expects an operating cashflow margin of around 31 % in 2020. The financial statements and annual report for 2020 will be released on 10 March 2021 . Consolidated net sales In 2020 , the Geberit Group's net sales fell by 3.1 % to CHF 2986 million . This development includes negative currency effects of CHF 136 million . In local currencies , this resulted in an increase of 1.3 % . This currency - adjusted growth and thus the gain of further market shares - was achieved despite the significant sales decrease seen in the second quarter as a result of COVID - 19 . This favourable performance was down to the strong market position , prudent crisis management and the conscious decision to not furlough employees in order to also maintain the levels of contact with customers during the lockdown periods . Net sales in the fourth quarter reached CHF 724 million , which is equivalent to an increase of 3.2 % in Swiss francs and a currency - adjusted increase of 6.8 % . This follows on from slight growth of 1.5 % in the first quarter , a drop of 10.7 % in the second quarter and growth of 8.5 % in the third quarter in local currencies . Net sales by market and product area In the first half of the year , the construction industry in Europe was negatively impacted by the effects of the COVID - 19 pandemic from mid - March to May . In the second half of the year , catch - up effects , the renewed build - up of inventories at wholesalers and government stimulus programmes - especially the temporary VAT reduction seen in Germany - led to strong sales growth . Sales development in individual countries varied greatly depending on the extent and length of the lockdown seen in the construction industry in spring . In Germany ( + 7.3 % ) , Austria ( + 5.0 % ) , Switzerland ( + 4.1 % ) , Eastern Europe ( + 3.2 % ) and the Nordic Countries ( + 2.9 % ) , construction sites saw only limited restrictions and pleasing growth in currency - adjusted net sales was achieved across the year as a whole . Due to more restricted construction activities in Belgium , the Benelux Countries remained at the previous year's level . In contrast , the markets most seriously affected by the building site closures - the United Kingdom / Ireland ( -15.7 % ) , the Iberian Peninsula ( -10.9 % ) , Italy ( -8.3 % ) and France ( -6.9 % ) - still saw a significant drop in currency - adjusted net sales after twelve months . The negative impacts of the COVID - 19 pandemic continued to be felt in regions outside Europe - in the Middle East / Africa ( -14.1 % ) and Far East / Pacific ( -7.2 % ) . Net sales in America rose by 1.7 % .