Brunni-Bahnen Presents Financials & Announces Purchase Of Brunnihutte SAC
The Annual General Meeting of Brunni-Bahnen Engelberg AG has taken place. The approximately 300 shareholders were informed about a successful 2023/2024 financial year and received a dividend despite a mixed winter business. And as of the end of October 2024, Brunni-Bahnen will be the owner of the Brunnihütte at 1,800 m above sea level.
More than 300 shareholders attended the Annual General Meeting of Brunni-Bahnen AG on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 in the Kursaal Engelberg. The mountain railway company can look back on a successful 2023/2024 financial year and generated sales of CHF 7.6 million. At 8.7%, this figure is clearly above the previous year, with the Brunnihütte's sales included since December 2023. After all costs and deductions, the annual profit amounts to CHF 135,992. The slightly increased personnel costs and the higher energy costs had a negative impact on earnings. Nevertheless, shareholders were paid a dividend of CHF 25 per share. "This decision reflects the solid financial position of Brunni-Bahnen and underlines our efforts to create sustainable value for our shareholders," says Chairman of the Board of Directors Fredy Miller.
No changes in the Board of Directors
When it came to the elections, Fredy Miller was confirmed in his position and is now starting his second term as Chairman of the Board of Directors. The other five Board members Erich Ettlin, Anian Kohler, Daniel Amstutz, Karin Schärer-Meierhans and Thomas Küng were also unanimously elected for a further three years. The revision of the Articles of Association was also put to the obligatory vote. It was unanimously approved by the meeting.
Volatile business environment
The summer and autumn of 2023 were successful months for the Brunni cable cars. "There were numerous sunny weekends, which gave us high frequencies," says Roman Barmettler. But it's not just the weather that keeps attracting guests to Brunni. According to Roman Barmettler, the diverse range of offerings is also attracting great interest: "The productions around Globi and Globine are extremely popular with families. But the combination of hiking, adventure and enjoyment also works." Several thousand treasure maps, 55,000 toboggan rides and 8,500 wooden balls were sold again. "Today, 50% of our sales come from summer business. That wasn't the case ten years ago," adds the managing director.
The challenging winter of 2023/2024 contributed to this. Due to the unstable weather conditions, the many stormy days and the little snowfall, the lifts on the Klostermatte (1,012 m above sea level) had to be closed during the high season in mid-February.
"I am pleased that, together with our committed team, we have mastered the challenges of the last financial year and are able to report positive figures," summarizes Roman Barmettler.
Purchase of the Brunnihütte SAC
At the general meeting, the Brunni-Bahnen informed about the signing of the contract to purchase the Brunnihütte SAC. At the end of October 2024, the mountain hut with a restaurant and 40 beds will be transferred from the SAC Engelberg to the Brunni-Bahnen. The catering team led by Käthi Joller has already been operating a lease on the hut for a year. And with success - the desired number of overnight stays and sales were achieved in the first year.
The Brunni Hut will continue to retain its charm in the future. "We currently have no major renovation plans, but we are working on a concept. We want the Brunni Hut to remain a comfortable meeting place for mountain hikers. We also want to use the coming time to get to know the hut even better and gain experience," explains Roman Barmettler. In the future, SAC members will continue to enjoy preferential rates for overnight stays.
Challenging start to the 2024/2025 financial year
The first half of the current financial year was subdued. The cable car only recorded large numbers of visitors in July and August, and sales in the first six months were around 13% below the previous year's figures. The number of first-time visitors was also 20% lower than the 5-year average. Roman Barmettler commented: "Due to the weather, there were many last-minute cancellations in the group business of school classes and clubs this autumn in particular. However, these are important target groups for us, as they primarily seek the mountain experience on weekdays." The figures for the catering industry, which increased by around 8.5% in the same period, are encouraging. "Overall, this development shows that, in addition to the wide range of leisure activities, catering is also a key element of the Brunni cable cars," says the managing director.
More kilometers of snow-covered slopes
Technical snowmaking has become an indispensable part of the Brunni cable cars and has been expanded again for the coming winter. During a two-month construction phase, the technical team and local companies expanded the snowmaking system on the blue Brand piste and the Rinderbüel toboggan run in the direction of Hüttismatt. "This means we can open the black Schonegg piste in the Brand section more often when conditions are good. And the new system will also make the tobogganing offer more attractive," explains Roman Barmettler. Demand for this leisure activity in particular has increased significantly over the last five years. The company has also built a new utility building in Ristis. In the future, it will become the central meeting point and transfer point in the Yeti Park for, among other things, toboggan rentals.
The season starts on December 7, 2024.
