The Würth Group generated annual sales of more than EUR 10 billion for the first time, with 2014 revenues preliminarily reported at EUR 10.12 billion. In local currencies year on year growth was 4.8% but currency exchange cost the group one percentage point of growth.

In Germany sales rose 4.1% year on year. Southern European companies were said to be picking up speed as well. North American sales grew 8.6%.

Wurth said its preliminary estimate for operating result is EUR 500 million, up EUR 65 million or 12.4% on 2013.

Group employee numbers increased from 63,571 to 66,044 at end 2014, the growth primarily in sales related roles.

Robert Friedmann, Chairman of the Central Managing Board of the Würth Group, expressed satisfaction with the results, commenting: "The development of the Würth Group shows a clear upward trend in all parts of the world in spite of the partly very difficult world economic influences such as in Russia. We are looking optimistically into the year 2015 and will continue investing purposefully in further sales representatives, growth markets and sales channels such as e-business.