euro adhoc: CHRIST WATER TECHNOLOGY AG
Financial Figures/Balance Sheet /
Christ Water Technology achieves the turnaround in 2005
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
09.03.2006
In 2005, the CHRIST Group achieved record incoming orders, thus creating an excellent basis for sustained positive business development. At EUR241.7 million, incoming orders were 25.8% higher than in the previous year (EUR192.0 million). As of December 31, 2005, the order book of the Group amounted EUR146.5 million, two thirds more than at the end of the previous year (EUR87.8 million). In some areas, order processing stretches beyond 2006, providing additional security for mid-term capacity utilization.
In the 2005 financial year, the CHRIST Group generated consolidated Group sales of EUR183.0 million (PY: EUR178.4 million). In an analysis of the 2.6% increase, it should be mentioned that, by contrast to the 2004, no major projects were processed in 2005.
The individual business segments produced varying results:
Segment (not incl. internal sales) 2005 2004 +/- % Pharma & Life Science (PhLS) 46.8 31.0 +51.0% Ultrapure Water (UPW) 71.1 96.9 -26.6% Food & Beverage (F&B) 22.7 26.1 -13.0% Municipal Water Treatment (MWT) 42.4 24.4 +73.8% Total Group sales 183.0 178.4 +2.6% Development of earnings
EBIT developed in the different segments as follows:
Segment 2005 2004 +/- % Pharma & Life Science (PhLS) 1.7 0.9 +82.8% Ultrapure Water (UPW) 1.1 -6.5 X Food & Beverage (F&B) -1.0 0.7 X Municipal Water Treatment (MWT) 2.2 1.6 +35.8% Total Group EBIT 4.0 -3.2 X
With the exception of the Food & Beverage segment, all segments contributed to the clear improvement in earnings. The greatest impact came from the Ultrapure Water segment which posted EBIT of EUR-6.5 million in 2004 and EUR+1.1 million in the 2005 reporting year. 2004 included negative effects from old projects which were accepted below production costs. In 2005, these effects were much smaller. The Pharma & Life Science segment benefited from the improved capacity utilization as a result of increased operational output. As in the past, the Municipal Water Treatment segment made an above-average contribution of EUR2.2 million to the Groups success and once again exceeded the previous years earnings (EUR1.6 million) by 35.8%. The earnings performance in the Food & Beverage segment was disappointing. Here, as a result of the lack of major orders in the food industry, which had been processed during the past three years, the decreased volume of incoming orders was not enough to cover fixed costs, making operating adjustment measures necessary. As a result of these adjusting expenses, EBIT decreased to EUR-1.0 million (PY: EUR+0.7 million).
Group earnings after minority interests were EUR2.9 million after a loss of EUR4.1 million in the previous year. Consequently, earnings per share in 2005 amounted to EUR0.16 per share, against EUR-0.46 in 2004.
Significant reduction of net debt
As a result of positive cash flow, the CHRIST Group reduced its net debt to EUR20.4 million at year-end 2005. Consequently, gearing (net debt in relation to equity) improved from 92.9% to 49.5%. There was only a slight change in the Groups total assets year-on-year, which totaled EUR144.4 million. As of December 31, 2005, the Group equity totaled EUR41.2 million, i.e. an equity ratio of 28.5% against 27.6% in 2004.
Outlook
Following the spin-off of CHRIST WATER TECHNOLOGY AG from BWT Aktiengesellschaft, the CHRIST Group is focusing on further developing the Group in the area of industrial and municipal water treatment. Important strategic goals of the CHRIST management are to expand the internationalization of business activities, particularly in the fast-growing Asian and Eastern European markets as well as to extend customer service.
On the basis of full order books and the CHRIST Groups leading technological role in the growing market for water treatment, we are expecting to see considerable increases in both sales and Group earnings in the 2006 financial year. The long-term security of the Group financing and further optimization of the cash flow are also central focuses of attention at CHRIST.
end of announcement euro adhoc 09.03.2006 07:15:00
Further inquiry note:
Christ Water Technology AG, A-5310 Mondsee, Walter-Simmer-Str. 4
DDr. Karl Michael Millauer, CEO, Tel. +41 61 755 85 37
Mag. Ralf Burchert, CEFA, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Tel. +43 (0)6232 5011 1113, Fax +43 (0)6232 5011 1109,
E-mail: ralf.burchert@christ-water.com
Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: AT0000499157
WKN: 675399
Index: WBI, ATX Prime
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market