EANS-News: LPKF continues to boost revenue and earnings
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Financial Figures/Balance Sheet/Half-yearly Financial Report
Garbsen (euro adhoc) - Garbsen, August 14, 2012 - In the second quarter of 2012,
the mechanical engineering and laser specialist LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
remained unimpressed by the muted economical outlook in its market sector. The
unabated demand for laser systems for use in electronic component manufacturing
enabled the company to boost revenue by 34% to EUR 50.3 million in the first
half of 2012. Earnings increased even more by 42% to EUR 7.4 million. The EBIT
margin rose to 15% from 14% in the prior-year period. Accounting for revenue of
EUR 29.8 million and an EBIT margin of 18%, the second quarter made a
significant contribution to the solid net profit recorded for the first
half-year. With incoming orders of EUR 60.0 million and orders on hand of EUR
34.9 million, the company now looks to the second half of the year with great
confidence.
One of the decisive factors for the strong growth in the second quarter was the
boom enjoyed by the LPKF Group in its solar business. From the end of last year,
the company has benefited from a general agreement with an international solar
cell manufacturer (volume: EUR 43 million) and its progressive revenue
generation. Other factors include the thriving business with laser systems for
cutting PCBs and systems for laser direct structuring (LDS). In both product
groups, LPKF has once again managed to replace conventional production
techniques with laser technology. Thanks to this substitution effect, the growth
of the LPKF Group is not merely dependent on customers' capacity expansions.
Nonetheless, while Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ingo Bretthauer is very satisfied
with business development, he sees no reason to grow complacent: "We are working
continuously and are making every effort to improve the speed, precision and
efficiency of our machinery even further. Only in this way can we successfully
defend our leading market position."
After the positive performance in the first six months, the Company is
confirming its guidance for the full year: If the global economy remains stable,
the Management Board expects the LPKF Group to post revenue between EUR 100
million and EUR 105 million in 2012. Revenue growth is planned for all segments.
The EBIT margin should be between 15% and 17% in 2012. Major orders not
considered in current targets could substantially boost the Company's
performance. Given a stable economic environment in both 2013 and 2014, the
Management Board expects revenue to grow by approximately 10% per year and the
EBIT margin to remain between 15% and 17%.
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 640 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
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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: free trade: Hannover, Berlin, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf,
Stuttgart, regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt
language: English