MAX Automation closes 2016 with record order backlog - Group sales and earnings lower than last year as announced
DGAP-News: MAX Automation AG / Key word(s): Final Results
PRESS RELEASE MAX Automation closes 2016 with record order backlog - - Order backlog increases by 43.4% to EUR 193.8 million - Group sales decline by 12.2% to EUR 337.1 million - EBIT before PPA amortization reduced to EUR 17.4 million - The Management Board and Supervisory Board are planning a constant dividend of 15 cents per share for fiscal year 2016 - Corporate design with a new MAX Automation logo takes strategic focus on high-tech mechanical engineering into consideration Düsseldorf, March 31, 2017 - MAX Automation Group did not develop according to plan in all areas in fiscal year 2016. As announced in November 2016, Group sales and earnings of the specialist for high-tech mechanical engineering were below the previous year's figures. On the other hand, order intake and order backlog rose to record levels. The Management Board considers the positive development of orders to be an excellent starting point for the planned sales and earnings growth in the current year. In the past fiscal year, MAX Automation introduced initial measures as part of its "Strategy 2021." The cornerstones are the further focus of the MAX Group on the attractive growth markets automotive, medical technology, electronics and industrial applications, significant expansion of its international business, the development of innovative mechanical engineering and software solutions in networked production and greater leveraging of synergies between Group companies. Daniel Fink, Chairman of the Management Board of MAX Automation AG: "2016 was a challenging year with light and shadows. Although sales and earnings were below our expectations, we received attractive orders from high-growth industries and reached a record level with our order backlog. In addition, we have strategically drawn a clear path into the future by launching our 'Strategy 2021.' MAX therefore has every reason to be optimistic regarding its development in 2017 and beyond." Key Group figures for 2016 - Consolidated order intake reached a record high of EUR 395.7 million, 8.8% above the already high level of the previous year (2015: EUR 363.7 million). This development was mainly driven by buoyant business in the Industrial Automation segment. - Consolidated order backlog as of December 31, 2016, was at the record level of EUR 193.8 million, which is 43.4% higher than on the same day of the previous year (EUR 135.2 million). The book-to-bill ratio was 1.17 and is thus a good basis for further growth. - Group sales fell by 12.2% to EUR 337.1 million in 2016 (previous year: EUR 384.0 million) due to a market-related lower demand in the Environmental Technology segment and delays in large-scale orders in the Industrial Automation segment. It should also be taken into account that in the previous year Group sales included the contributions of the business of the former Group company altmayerBTD that was sold in December 2015. Adjusted for this effect, Group sales declined by 8.2% in 2016. - Group earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and before depreciation from purchase price allocation (PPA depreciation) decreased to EUR 17.4 million (previous year: EUR 24.8 million, -29.9%). Costs for strategic capacity adjustments in Environmental Technology as well as an increase in the number of employees in the Industrial Automation segment had an impact on the sharp rise in business volume. It should also be taken into account that the Group had benefited last year from a product and project mix that was particularly advantageous in terms of profitability. - Net interest income improved from EUR -3.6 million to EUR -2.8 million due to the effects of the reorganization of Group financing in 2015. As expected, interest expenses were reduced by around EUR 1 million. - The Group posted an annual result of EUR 8.3 million euros (2015: EUR 10.6 million, -21.2%). - Group equity increased to EUR 111.3 million as of December 31, 2016 (December 31, 2015: EUR 106.9 million, +4.1%). At 36.3%, the equity ratio remained well above the targeted minimum value of 30% (December 31, 2015: 37.7%). Development of the Group segments The Environmental Technology segment that includes the Vecoplan Group recorded an unsatisfactory business trend in the reporting year. This was due to the persistently low oil price and correspondingly lower demand for recycling and processing solutions, especially in the US. Even a good final quarter, which was above expectations, could not compensate for the sluggish demand in the previous quarters. Sales declined by 26.3% to 97.4 million euros (2015: EUR 132.2 million euros). EBIT before PPA amounted to EUR 1.8 million compared to EUR 1.5 million in the previous year. In the meantime, Vecoplan has adapted its capacities to the changed market conditions and thus created a good basis for a positive development in the current year. Reliable dividend policy Outlook for fiscal year 2017 The full consolidated financial statements for 2016 will be published today and will be available on the company's website at www.maxautomation.de. Contact: About MAX Automation AG:
31.03.2017 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. |
Language: | English |
Company: | MAX Automation AG |
Breite Straße 29-31 | |
40213 Düsseldorf | |
Germany | |
Phone: | +49 (0)211 90991-0 |
Fax: | +49 (0)211 90991-11 |
E-mail: | Investor.Relation@maxautomation.de |
Internet: | www.maxautomation.de |
ISIN: | DE000A2DA588 |
WKN: | A2DA58 |
Listed: | Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange |
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