Data centres are a goldmine for Siemens: Record profit and 40pc order jump in smart infrastructure

German engineering behemoth Siemens reported a record annual profit on Thursday, accompanied by a 40% surge in orders for smart infrastructure, as the artificial intelligence (AI) boom sweeps across European companies' supply chains. Major US tech firms like Microsoft and Meta have collectively invested billions of dollars in AI data centres, propelling the success of companies such as Siemens that provide essential electrical and cooling equipment for these facilities.

Swiss rival ABB experienced a 40% increase in orders for the three months ending September, while France's Schneider Electric reported a sales growth that surpassed expectations during the same period. For its fiscal year concluding at the end of September, Siemens disclosed that its core industrial profit, excluding certain effects like the sale of motor-maker Innomotics, climbed 13% to €13.3 billion (approximately RM60.1 billion or US$14.7 billion) for the year.

Siemens anticipates continued growth in the current fiscal year, projecting sales growth of between 9 and 11% and maintaining stable or higher profit margins in its two largest divisions. Looking ahead, the company has raised its target for sales growth to between 7 and 11% annually, up from the previous range of 6 to 9%, as well as aiming for an earnings per share growth of at least 10%, up from single-digit growth in the past.

CEO Roland Busch hailed 2026 as "an outstanding year for Siemens" and expressed confidence in the company's future outlook. He revealed an ambitious plan for the upcoming fiscal year 2027 and an increase in the group-level mid-term targets. In the fourth quarter, orders for Siemens' smart infrastructure business experienced a 40% increase to €8.67 billion (approximately RM39.2 billion), driven by significant contract wins from data centre customers.

Orders for Siemens' digital industries division, which specializes in software for engineering and automation, rose 16% over the same period to €6.41 billion (approximately RM29 billion).

Under Busch's leadership, Siemens has been shifting towards higher-margin software products as part of its "Industrial AI" strategy.