Baar, Switzerland — November 27, 2025 — Sika today unveiled its bold new strategic initiative, “Fast Forward”, aimed at accelerating digital transformation, operational efficiency, and long-term profitability. The program combines hefty investments in technology and a global restructuring plan — setting Sika on a clear trajectory toward becoming a digital leader in construction solutions while safeguarding its market-leading margins.
Why “Fast Forward” Matters for Sika
Sika is already a recognized global leader in specialty chemicals and construction-industry solutions, serving building, infrastructure, automotive and industrial sectors worldwide.
However, evolving demands — from supply-chain volatility and rising raw-material costs to increasing demand for digital workflows and sustainability — demand a leap forward. The Fast Forward program is Sika’s answer: a comprehensive plan to modernize, optimize, and future-proof the company’s global operations.
According to CEO Thomas Hasler:
“We have the highest profit margin ever — and with Fast Forward, we are making Sika fit for the future. Our goal is to become the digital leader in our construction markets, strengthening customer proximity, operational excellence and long-term profitability.” GlobeNewswire+1
With Fast Forward, Sika confirms its Strategy 2028 ambitions: targeting 3–6% sales growth in local currencies (excluding market growth), while generating annual net savings of CHF 150–200 million by 2028.
Key Components of Fast Forward: Investment, Efficiency, Digital Leadership
1. Major Digital & Technology Investment
- CHF 120–150 million to be invested through 2028 across Sika’s global footprint.
- Rollout of a global Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, expansion of digital labs, and implementation of high-performance data and analytics systems.
- Digitization of research & development (R&D) processes: drawing on data from worldwide R&D centers to accelerate new product development, enhance sustainability, and improve response times to customer demand.
Expected impact: Faster innovation cycles, improved customer responsiveness, stronger product-development pipelines, and enhanced overall value proposition.
2. Global Operational and Supply-Chain Efficiency
- Implementation of digital factory concepts and automated shop-floor management, aimed at increasing agility and reducing production bottlenecks.
- Logistics optimization and harmonization of core business processes across regions to reduce redundancies and standardize operations globally. Sika+1
- Annual cost savings target: CHF 150–200 million once fully implemented by 2028 (with around CHF 80 million savings expected to materialize in 2026).
These measures aim to bolster supply-chain resilience, reduce costs, and help Sika maintain its margin leadership even in uncertain macroeconomic environments.
3. Strategic Market Focus — China & Beyond
China remains a central growth market under Fast Forward. While the region currently faces a challenging construction market, Sika sees long-term opportunity in rising demand for renovation, stricter building standards, and the growth of electric-vehicle and infrastructure sectors.
Sika’s strong relationships with Chinese contractors and automotive manufacturers position the firm to benefit as demand rebounds. Moreover, with global operations in over 100 countries and manufacturing in more than 400 factories, Sika is well-placed to leverage its international presence for scalable expansion.
Financial Dashboard & Outlook
- In the first nine months of 2025, Sika achieved 1.1% sales growth in local currencies, despite a double-digit drop in China’s construction market, demonstrating resilience. Sika+1
- Material margin rose slightly to 55.0% (from 54.7% previously), while EBITDA margin improved to 19.2% (from 19.1%). Sika+1
- The company recently completed the integration of MBCC — a major acquisition — unlocking synergies and reinforcing its global footprint.
- Despite short-term headwinds and planned one-time costs of CHF 80–100 million in 2025 (for restructuring in China and global efficiency measures), Sika expects a stable full-year EBITDA margin of around 19%, with targets of 20–23% margin from 2026 onward under Strategy 2028.
This financial posture reflects a company that balances short-term challenges with long-term strategic discipline — investing now to reap greater efficiency, innovation, and profitability in the years to come.
What This Means for Stakeholders, Customers & Investors
For Customers & Partners
- Faster delivery times and improved product availability due to optimized supply-chain and factory processes.
- Access to next-generation construction technologies, building materials, and solutions developed via Sika’s enhanced digital R&D and innovation pipeline.
- Consistent quality and global support provided by a unified, digitally-enabled CRM and service network — regardless of region.
For Investors & Analysts
- A transparent and aggressive efficiency and investment roadmap. Fast Forward outlines concrete savings and growth targets, reducing uncertainty about future profitability.
- Strong margin-preservation strategy even in volatile markets — a rare attribute in specialty chemicals and construction input sectors.
- A diversified product and regional profile minimizes risk — especially given Sika’s presence across geographies, and its dual exposure to construction and automotive/industry segments.
For Industry & Sustainability Advocates
- Sika’s commitment to digital transformation and efficiency can reduce waste, improve resource utilization, and support sustainable construction practices.
- With R&D focused on advanced, durable, and high-performance materials, Sika supports long-term infrastructure resilience and eco-friendly building solutions.
What to Watch: Key Milestones & Future Indicators
Stakeholders should monitor a few critical inflection points over the coming quarters:
- Digital rollout success — the pace and scope of the new CRM, digital labs, and analytics platforms globally.
- Operational improvements — whether supply-chain agility, factory automation, and logistics optimizations deliver promised savings and reliability gains.
- China market rebound — the performance of newly adjusted operations in China and their contribution to regional growth.
- Margin trajectory — if Sika reaches the 20–23% EBITDA-margin target under Strategy 2028.
- Innovation output — new product launches, sustainable solutions, and technology-driven building materials emerging from Sika’s enhanced R&D environment.
About Sika
Sika is a global specialty-chemicals company headquartered in Switzerland, operating in over 103 countries with more than 400 production facilities worldwide. The company is a recognized leader in systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protection — serving the building, infrastructure, automotive and industrial sectors. In 2024, Sika reported revenue of CHF 11.76 billion.
With Fast Forward, Sika aims not only to preserve its legacy as a global construction-chemicals innovator, but also to redefine itself as a digitally-enabled, future-ready enterprise — combining high profitability, global reach, R&D leadership and sustainable operations.
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