Strong adjusted operating margin despite headwinds
Adjusted operating margin of 13.5% in Q1, flat year-over-year, achieved despite a significant currency headwind. Key drivers were price/mix, rightsizing actions, higher production volumes (safety stock) and fixed cost absorption.
Specialized Industrial Solutions outperformance
Specialized Industrial Solutions delivered almost 9% organic growth and an improved adjusted operating margin of 13.3%. Strong momentum in Aerospace and Magnetic Solutions and growth in automated lubrication systems (lubrication business ~SEK 5bn of sales, majority automated systems).
High-margin Bearing Solutions
Bearing Solutions represents >50% of net sales and >75% of adjusted operating profit. The segment reported 2.4% organic growth and a robust adjusted operating margin of 19.3%, supported by price/mix, world-class manufacturing benefits and higher production volumes.
Rightsizing and cost savings progress
Realized rightsizing savings of SEK 300 million in Q1. Management targets a run-rate increase toward SEK 2.0 billion by end of 2027 and expects rightsizing to be slightly net positive versus separation-related dissynergies for full-year 2026 (management indicated a net positive ~SEK 100 million range).
Stable capital structure and returns
Net debt/adjusted EBITDA remained stable at 0.8x; net debt/equity excluding pensions 10.7% (10.2% at year-end). Adjusted return on capital employed stable at 14.4%. Board proposed dividend SEK 7.75 per share (two installments).
Automotive separation and commercial progress
Separation of automotive business progressing on plan (targeted completion Q4 2026). Automotive shows improved commercial metrics: higher hit ratio on OE RFQs and new distribution agreements expected to add ~SEK 1 billion of sales over 4 years. Automotive margin remained around 5% in Q1.