EANS-News: Hönle returns to the Profit Zone
Gräfeling/München (euro adhoc) -
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quarterly report
Hönle Group returned to the profit zone in the first quarter of the 2009/2010 financial year. The operating result (EBIT) increased from TEUR -592 in the previous year to TEUR 1,229 in the first quarter of the current financial year, while sales revenues were down 3% to TEUR 12,372, year-on-year. The pretax result jumped from TEUR -594 to TEUR 1,168 and the consolidated result from TEUR -580 to TEUR 821. Earnings per share climbed from EUR -0.12 to EUR 0.15.
The operating cash flow improved from TEUR -676 in the previous year to TEUR 312 in the first quarter of the current financial year.
Outlook: Due to the acquisition of Eltosch, Panacol and PrintConcept, the Hönle Group became the second largest systems supplier worldwide for industrial UV technology. Following the restructuring process in 2008/2009, the Group has greatly expanded its sales and earnings potential and lowered its break-even threshold significantly. The Group has thus laid the basis for sustained positive business development. Hence, Hönle is excellently prepared to emerge from the economic and financial crisis in a stronger position than previously.
Presently, there are many signs of the global economy gradually overcoming the effects of the global recession. The Ifo Business Climate Index in Germany is increasing considerably and institutions such as the International Monetary Fund forecast a global recovery for 2010.
The Hönle Group is also experiencing a rebound in demand with respect to some business segments, and stabilisation at a low level in others. A slight recovery at a still low sales level can be noted in the sheet-fed offset printing segment. Hönle expects this segment to pick up further in the future. Incoming orders increased significantly in other print application segments such as the digital printing segment, when compared to previous quarters. Hönle expects the recovery trend to continue in this segment also. Incoming orders picked up continuously in the adhesives segment. Positive business development can be noted in South-East Asia, in particular. Hönle has good opportunities to tap new sales potential in that area. The positive business development that prevailed even during the recession continues unabated in the special equipment segment: The photovoltaics industry is the growth driver in this segment.
Provided that the general economic conditions do not deteriorate, the Management Board expects that the Hönle Group will achieve sales revenues ranging from EUR 47 to EUR 50 million, while the operating result is expected to come in at EUR 3 to EUR 4 million in the current financial year.
About Hönle: Dr. Hönle AG is a listed technology company with registered head office in Gräfelfing, near Munich. With a staff level of ca. 250 employees, the Hönle Group is one of the world´s leading systems suppliers in the UV technology segment. The equipment and systems are used for drying inks and coatings, curing adhesives and plastics, disinfecting surfaces, and in the simulation of natural sunlight. The Company´s business activities focus also on the development and sale of industrial adhesives and compounds. The Group is represented by own companies and sales partners worldwide at 50 locations in more than 20 countries.
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Peter Weinert
Tel.: +49 89 85608 173
E-Mail: peter.weinert@hoenle.de
Branche: Instrument Engineering
ISIN: DE0005157101
WKN: 515710
Index: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technology All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
Hannover / free trade
München / free trade