Brunni-Bahnen Engelberg Ag Records Second-best Result In The Company's History.

Despite an uncertain start to the financial year, Brunni-Bahnen Engelberg AG was able to write the second-best result in the company's history. Total sales increased by 12.5% ​​compared to the previous year, despite the temporary closings of restaurants and lifts in winter. At CHF 1.56 million, EBITDA is the third-best result in the company's history, which corresponds to an increase of 73% over the previous year and resulted in a profit of CHF 242,046. 

The 2020 summer season could only be opened on June 6th due to the prescribed closings. Thanks to the splendid summer with mostly guests from Switzerland, a drop in sales could be avoided. The number of guests remained 13% below the previous year's level, as a result, traffic revenue fell by 15% to CHF 1.68 million. 

The start of the winter season was promising: at the end of November there was already a pleasant blanket of snow and days of fine weather followed, so that the entire range of winter sports was available to guests. The setback followed with the officially decreed closure of ski operations from December 22nd to 29th, 2020. Experience shows that this period is one of the days with the highest turnover and frequency in winter business. The ski lifts on the Klostermatte were in operation on 83 days in the reporting year. A total of 237,953 frequencies were measured, which is three times as much as in the previous year. 

The gastronomy had to constantly adapt to the pandemic conditions. The big slump did not materialize, however. The businesses, including the mountain lodge, collectively generate CHF 1,815 million, which is equivalent to the previous year. The catering sales per guest fell by almost 13% due to the restrictions. The Berglodge, on the other hand, achieved a new record with 2,855 overnight stays. 

In total, around 210,000 guests visited Brunni and Klostermatte in the 2020/21 financial year (May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021). There were signs of a recovery, since last year only 180,000 were welcomed due to Corona, the lowest value in the last 10 years. Compared to the previous year, total sales increased by 12.5% ​​to CHF 6.52 million. The EBITDA also developed positively with a plus of 73% to CHF 1.56 million. With an EBITDA share of 24% of total sales, the Brunni-Bahn is well above the industry average. With depreciation of CHF 1.24 million, Brunni-Bahnen presented a profit of CHF 242,046 in the 2020/21 financial year. 

Thanks to the intact earnings situation, it was possible to repay the debt by CHF 1.1 million and make necessary investments such as the expansion of further public toilets or the conversion of Ochsenmattgaden into the so-called “Pizza-Gadä” with a total amount of CHF 434,000. 

The company's level of self-financing is now 63%; an improvement of 5% over the previous year. Brunni-Bahnen Engelberg AG thus has an above-average level of self-financing for the industry. Based on this good starting position and an expected further increase in EBITDA under normal conditions, the company will continue to invest in order to strive for long-term profitable growth. 

Due to the positive development for the 2020/21 financial year, the Board of Directors will propose to the General Meeting of Shareholders a tax-free cash repayment of the capital contribution reserves in the amount of CHF 25 per share (corresponds to a dividend of 10% of the nominal value). The general assembly of Brunni-Bahnen Engelberg AG will take place on October 26, 2021 in the Kursaal Engelberg. 

Brunni-Bahnen Engelberg AG aims to manage the Engelberg-Brunni area as an excursion and recreation area. An average of 240,000 guests visit the Brunni area every year. Brunni-Bahnen Engelberg AG generates total sales of around CHF 7 million with a pendulum lift, a chairlift, three ski lifts, two restaurants and other adventure and gastronomy offers.