--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
responsible for the content of this announcement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
quarterly report
Garbsen (euro adhoc) - LPKF invests in the future
Revenue in first half above previous year´s level
Earnings affected by capacity expansion as expected
Incoming orders above EUR 51 million
Garbsen, 12 August 2011 - The special machine manufacturer LPKF boosted revenue
in the first half of 2011 by 3 % to EUR 37.7 million to slightly exceed last
year´s record level. Revenues in the second quarter grew by 23 % to EUR 23.4
million year on year.
There is still a big demand for laser systems for material processing. The
orders in hand of the LPKF Group have more than doubled to EUR 26 million since
the beginning of the year.
Earnings affected by investment in expansion
As announced by the management board at the start of the year, the current
financial year is hallmarked by the comprehensive expansion of capacities. EBIT
(earnings before interest and tax) at EUR 5.2 million were therefore well down
on the previous year (EUR 8.4 million). To satisfy growing demand, LPKF has
increased its workforce from 429 to 532 over the past 12 months. In addition to
the strong growth in staff, a modified product mix has also depressed the level
of earnings. The EBIT margin in the first six months was 14 %, compared to 23 %
the previous year.
CEO Dr. Ingo Bretthauer is still satisfied with the way business is de-veloping:
"We are currently in a transition phase, and our performance is being gauged
against last year´s extremely high level. We intend to grow further. This means
we have to invest and temporarily have to live with slightly lower earnings. The
high level of incoming orders in the first half and beyond clearly demonstrates
that we are charting the right course."
Incoming orders above EUR 51 million
The development in incoming orders in the first half is cause for major
satisfaction. Orders rose 12 % to EUR 51 million year on year. The re-ceipt of
incoming orders was particularly dynamic in the Other Produc-tion Equipment
segment which encompasses the Plastic Welding and Solar divisions - both
belonging to the company´s growth sectors. In-coming orders in this segment have
risen significantly in the ongoing third quarter.
Outlook reinforced
The targeted growth in 2012 is in sight against this background, so that the
management board has reinforced its forecast. The management is predicting a
revenue of between EUR 83 - EUR 86 million in the current financial year, with
an EBIT margin between 15 - 17 %. The man-agement is forecasting an average
growth in revenue of above 10% per annum in the 2012 and 2013 financial years,
and a slight rise in EBIT margin if the economic framework remains stable.
The Q2 2011 financial report, including the metrics, is in the internet at
www.lpkf.de.
About LPKF
LPKF Laser & Electronics AG specializes in the production of laser systems for
micro-material processing, a field in which it is the world leader in several
sectors. Founded in 1976, the Group has its headquarters in Garbsen near
Hannover in Germany, and does business around the world together with its
subsidiaries and representatives. LPKF has around 530 employees globally. The
shares in LPKF Laser & Electronics AG are traded on the Prime Standard of the
Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN 0006450000).
Further inquiry note:
LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
Bettina Schäfer, Investor Relations Manager (CIRO)
Tel: (05131) 7095-1382
end of announcement euro adhoc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
company: LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
Osteriede 7
D-30827 Garbsen
phone: +49(0)5131 7095 1382
FAX: +49(0)5131 7095 90
mail: investorrelations@lpkf.com
WWW: http://www.lpkf.de
sector: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0006450000
indexes: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technology All Share
stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, free trade: Berlin,
Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Hannover, München
language: English