Pilatus ends 2021 financial year flying high

The 2021 financial year was extremely successful for Pilatus, but also challenging. Despite the difficult circumstances, a new production record of 152 aircraft deliveries was set. Sales of 1.3 billion Swiss francs, an operating result of 210 million and incoming orders worth 1.7 billion francs are a very good result. The Board of Directors also underwent a change and a reinforcement.

Pilatus achieved growth in sales of 19 percent and a 35 percent higher operating result compared to the previous year. The total number of aircraft delivered is impressive: 45 PC-24s, 88 PC-12 NGXs, 17 PC-21s and 2 PC-6s, 152 aircraft all in all.

High demand in both Business Units In the Business Unit Government Aviation, Pilatus succeeded in concluding a follow-up order with France for nine PC-21s. Another highlight was the successful presentation of the PC-7 MKX, the brand-new smart basic trainer for military pilot training. There was a boom in the General Aviation markets, which greatly benefited the PC-12 NGX and PC-24.

Besides the many highlights which shaped the past year, Pilatus also had to contend with some turbulence: disruptions to supply chains and supply bottlenecks had a negative impact on production. The efficiency of our work processes suffered, resulting in higher costs.

Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus, takes a positive view of last year’s result: “Thanks to a great deal of hard work and flexibility, we achieved a very good result of which the entire crew may be justifiably proud. Demand for our products and services has rarely been so high. Meeting customer expectations despite unreliable supply chains and continuing deglobalisation will, however, ensure our work remains challenging.”

Bonus for all staff Once again, the 2100+ employees at the head office in Stans have received a share in the company’s profits. An amount equivalent to around one and a half month’s salary was paid to all as a bonus. Pilatus has also taken various measures to further enhance its attractiveness as an employer and win the most talented candidates for its future projects.

Change and reinforcement in the Board of Directors Dominik Burkart and Annette Rinck were re-elected and newly elected onto the Board of Directors.

Dominik Burkart served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2014 to 2021 and will now represent the shareholder side on the Board of Directors.

The newly elected 57-year old Annette Rinck is currently President & CEO of Leica Microsystems. Annette Rinck has over 20 years’ experience in global industrial companies. She has worked at Honeywell for the past seven years, most recently as General Manager, Global Brands, and in the Building Management Systems Division. She has a PhD in Business Administration/Strategic Marketing.

Gratian Anda, who has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2006, did not stand for re-election. He will remain closely connected with Pilatus as a shareholder. Pilatus thanks him for his constant support and many years of service as Vice Chairman.

Lukas Gähwiler, previously a member of the Board of Directors, was elected as the new Vice Chairman.

With immediate effect, the Pilatus Board of Directors is therefore composed as follows: Hansueli Loosli (Chairman), Lukas Gähwiler (Vice Chairman), Martin P. Furrer (member), Mario Rossi (member) and the newly elected members, Dominik Burkart and Annette Rinck.

Outlook for the current year 

Hansueli Loosli, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Pilatus: “We will see further turbulence in 2022. But we have got off to a good start and we look to the future with confidence. Pilatus has a unique product range and quite simply the best products in their respective niches. We also have a good order book, which provides us with a solid foundation. The reinforced Board of Directors, together with the entire Pilatus team, will do all we can to fly Pilatus into a promising future!”

Pilatus Annual Report 2021 (English/PDF)