Brunni Lift Co: Summer Results And General Meeting
The annual general meeting of Brunni-Bahnen AG took place on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Those responsible reported an eventful 2022/2023 financial year and were able to report a profit despite a difficult winter. There will be changes in the catering industry: From next winter, the Brunni-Bahnen will be running the Brunnihütte under a lease.
Chairman of the Board of Directors Fredy Miller welcomed over 340 shareholders to the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 in the Kursaal Engelberg. Those responsible at Brunni-Bahnen informed those present about a turnover of 6.9 million francs. This value is below the previous year, but is still on the 5-year average. After all costs and deductions, the annual profit amounts to 151,247 francs.
The Board of Directors' proposal to pay out CHF 150,000 of the available retained earnings at the expense of the capital contribution reserves was unanimously approved by the meeting. This means that an amount of CHF 25 will be paid out per share, which corresponds to a dividend of 10% of the nominal capital.
On track despite rising costs and difficult conditions
The winter season 22/23 with difficult weather and snow conditions regularly challenged railway operations. Managing director Roman Barmettler is correspondingly satisfied: “After a dreary Christmas and New Year business, we would not have expected such pleasing figures. We are relieved". The sunny summer of 2022 in particular helped to make up for the lack of income from winter business. A trend that is generally recognizable. “If we look at the frequency statistics, this underlines the tendency for summer to grow and winter to stagnate,” noted Fredy Miller. The increased cost of goods in the catering industry is noticeable in the bill. Thanks to a long-term fixation of electricity prices by the energy supplier until the end of the current year, a massive cost increase was averted.
Results summer and autumn seasons 2023
From May to September 2023, first admissions increased by another 8% compared to the strong summer of 2022. Sales at railway facilities and catering establishments recorded an increase of 4%. Thanks to the beautiful and warm temperatures, this year's September was particularly strong. Never before have more than 25,000 guests visited the Brunni area this off-season. “The newly opened wooden ball path was a magnet this summer, attracting families from all over Switzerland to Engelberg. But the toboggan run was also very popular and sold a quarter more tickets compared to the five-year average,” says Roman Barmettler.
Basis for building objects
Various major projects have been pushed forward in the past few months. These are spatial planning principles that must be approved at the municipal and cantonal levels as part of the structure plan. The Brunni-Bahnen is committed to expanding the bed capacities in Ristis. The renovation of the Schonegg transport facilities and the 3-seater chairlift up to Lake Härzlisee are part of the investment plan for the next few years. Investments are also being made in the snowmaking systems on the Klostermatte for the toboggan run. “Now is the right time to release capital in order to maintain the basic offering in winter sports for as long as possible,” says Roman Barmettler. In addition, solar systems are to be installed at the valley and mountain stations in order to produce over a third of the electricity required.
News in winter
In the Yeti Park children's area at 1,600 m above sea level. M. families can enjoy a new, longer conveyor belt. The practice slope is designed to be more spacious for skiers, snowboarders and sledders and offers more space for the first turns in the snow.
In addition to the OX family restaurant and the Berglodge Restaurant Ristis, the catering department will be expanded by one company. With the start of the 23/24 winter season, the Brunni-Bahnen will take over the Brunnihütte SAC under lease on December 2, 2023. Classic and tasty hot and cold dishes in the spirit of a mountain restaurant with an inviting panoramic terrace will still be found on the menu.
