Demand for semi-trailers and trailers cooled significantly, resulting in a 30.8% year-on-year drop in sales across the Wielton Group’s brands. Just 14,503 units were sold, down from 20,954 in the previous year.
Financial results followed suit. Wielton generated PLN 2.104 billion (approx €484 million) in revenue in 2024 – a 34.7% decrease from PLN 3.225 billion (approx €741 million) in 2023. Operating profit (EBITDA) turned negative, totalling PLN -17.2 million (approx €-4 million), compared to PLN 206.6 million (approx €47.5 million) the year before. Consequently, the group posted a net loss of PLN 147.1 million (approx €33.8 million), in contrast to a net profit of PLN 104.0 million (approx €23.9 million) in 2023.
“2024 was one of the most difficult years for the European transport industry, and this was reflected in the Wielton Group’s results. In response, we implemented optimisation measures, reduced investments and employment, and established two new companies – ReTrailer and Wielton Defense – to better respond to market needs and the changing geopolitical landscape. Thanks to our flexible approach and expanded product offering, we are prepared to navigate ongoing changes in the transport sector,” said Paweł Szataniak, President of the Wielton Group.
Despite the tough market conditions, Wielton reports having maintained its position in most key European markets and ended the year with a healthy order backlog – around 5,600 units as of December 2024.
In Poland, the semi-trailer and trailer market contracted by over 31% year-on-year, according to the company’s estimates. Wielton ranked second domestically, holding a 13.2% market share. Sales volume in Poland dropped by 38.7% to 3,078 units, down from 5,021 the previous year. In the fourth quarter, the company added timber transport trailers and defence-sector vehicles to its portfolio.
Declines in France, Italy and the UK – Growth in Spain and Germany
In France, where the market shrank by more than 17%, Wielton-owned Fruehauf retained its leading position with a 16.9% share. The company sold 2,788 vehicles – a drop of almost 29% year-on-year – and recorded a 33.6% decline in sales revenue, which came to PLN 428.3 million (approx €98.5 million).
In Italy, Viberti and Fruehauf maintained fifth place with a combined 7.5% market share, even as the market contracted by 13%. The group sold 891 vehicles in Italy in 2024, down from 1,409 the year before. Total sales revenue fell to PLN 109.1 million (approx €25.1 million) from PLN 205.6 million (approx €47.3 million).
The UK market also saw a sharp decline. Overall demand dropped by over 22% in 2024, and Wielton’s sales fell by almost 31% to 2,513 vehicles. Revenue dropped to PLN 322.7 million (approx €74.2 million), down from PLN 590.7 million (approx €135.9 million) in 2023.
Wielton’s performance in Germany was more positive. Langendorf and Wielton GmbH climbed to fifth place (from sixth), each holding a 2.6% market share. In total, 1,367 vehicles were sold in Germany, slightly up from 1,197 the previous year. Revenue increased by nearly 9% to PLN 253.7 million (approx €58.4 million) from PLN 233.3 million (approx €53.7 million).
Spain also brought encouraging news. The market grew by 6.2% in 2024, and Wielton-owned Guillén rose to eighth place, expanding its share to 2.6%. Sales volume rose by almost 4% to 376 units. However, full-year revenue declined to PLN 52 million (approx €12 million), compared with PLN 77.8 million (approx €17.9 million) in 2023.
