EANS-News: SHW AG reports rising sales and earnings
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
responsible for the content of this announcement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9-month report
Aalen (euro adhoc) - Group sales grew by 7.1 percent to EUR 253.1 million
between January and September 2012
- Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) up
13.5 percent to EUR 27.8 million
- Proceeds from the sale of Canadian joint venture STT amount to approximately
EUR 42 million
- New credit agreement with a volume of EUR 60 million and a 5-year term
Aalen, 8 November 2012. SHW AG, one of the leading suppliers of CO2-relevant
pumps and engine components as well as brake discs, remained on the growth track
also during the third quarter of 2012. Group sales based on continuing
operations (excluding STT) improved by 7.1 percent to EUR 253.1 million
(previous year: EUR 236.4 million) during the first nine months of 2012. This
growth is mainly attributable to a large number of production start-ups and
relatively stable demand for automotive pumps on the part of SHW customers.
Group earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)
for the first nine months of 2012 rose by EUR 3.3 million or 13.5 percent to EUR
27.8 million compared to the prior-year period. At 11.0 percent, the EBITDA
margin exceeded the prior year level of 10.3 percent. Earnings after taxes from
continuing operations amounted to EUR 12.4 million in the reporting period
(previous year: EUR 11.9 million). Earnings per share amounted to EUR 2.12
(previous year: EUR 2.06).
"Thanks to our CO2-relevant products we have been able to stay on the growth
track even amidst a considerable decline in European vehicle production," said
CEO Dr. Wolfgang Krause, who is in charge of the Pumps and Engine Components
business segment. "The 2020 carbon targets recently decided by the European
Commission provide a basis for further profitable growth of SHW."
Proceeds from STT sale to be used towards acquisitions or a special dividend
The sale of the 50 percent stake in STT Technologies Inc., Canada, generated
proceeds equivalent to EUR 42 million for SHW, resulting in a book profit before
taxes of approximately EUR 40 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The
transaction was successfully completed in late October 2012.
"Basically we are looking at two options for the use of the sale proceeds,
namely a major acquisition or a partial payout in form of a special dividend,"
said Dr. Wolfgang Krause. The company also intends to reinvest part of the
proceeds in organic growth as well in the development of important auto markets
such as Brazil, China and North America. In the latter market the company
intends to clearly expand its existing business in the Truck and Off-Highway
division.
New credit agreement ensures long-term refinancing
SHW AG will replace early the existing financing agreement with a new syndicated
loan which will secure its future business development and growth strategy long
term.
The new credit agreement with a volume of EUR 60 million and a five-year term
was agreed with a consortium of five banks, with UniCredit Bank AG acting as
Mandated Lead Arranger and Coordinating Bookrunner. The consortium also includes
Commerzbank AG, Kreisparkasse Ostalb, SEB AG and Baden-Württembergische Bank.
"This new long-term syndicated loan, which can also be utilized for
acquisitions, provides a solid financial basis for our planned growth
programme," CFO Oliver Albrecht emphasises.
Brake Discs business segment continues its positive earnings trend
The third quarter saw further improvements in the profitability of the Brake
Discs business segment through ongoing efficiency-enhancing measures and the
improved product mix. At EUR 68.0 million, sales were approximately at the
prior-year level of EUR 69.2 million. Earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) showed a clear year-on-year improvement
by 23.3 percent to EUR 4.4 million (previous year: EUR 3.6 million). The EBITDA
margin improved from 5.1 percent to 6.5 percent.
Compared to the prior-year period, the Pumps and Engine Components business
segment increased its sales in the first nine months of 2012 by 10.7 percent to
EUR 185.1 million (previous year: EUR 167.2 million), with the Passenger Car
division growing its sales by 12.0 percent to EUR 126.8 million. Growth was
driven by high demand for variable oil pumps and start-stop pumps as well as the
production start of an oil/vacuum pump. Nine-month earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in the Pumps and Engine Components
business segment increased despite start-up costs by EUR 2.1 million or 9.7
percent to EUR 24.1 million compared to the prior-year period. At 13.0 percent,
the EBITDA margin was on par with the previous year.
Outlook on full-year 2012
SHW's numerous production start-ups and its advantageous customer structure
helped the company clearly outperform the underlying European automotive market
during the first nine months of 2012. Against the background of the strong
nine-month figures, SHW continues to expect slight growth for the full year
2012. Group sales in October exceeded the previous year figure. "However, there
is an uncertainty about the production down time of our customers at the end of
the year," said Dr. Wolfgang Krause. "Based on our continuing operations, we
anticipate group sales in the region between EUR 318 million and EUR 325 million
compared to previous year level of EUR 317 million. Our EBITDA margin at group
level will likely meet prior year's level of approximately 10 percent."
About SHW
The enterprise was established in 1365, making it one of the oldest industrial
enterprises in Germany. Today, the SHW Group is a leading supplier for the
automotive industry with products that contribute to a reduction of fuel
consumption and consequently CO2 emissions. In its Pumps and Engine Components
business segment, the SHW Group develops and produces pumps for passenger
vehicles and truck and off-highway applications, e.g. trucks, farm and
construction vehicles, stationary motors and wind power stations. The Brake
Discs business segment develops and produces monobloc ventilated brake discs
made of cast iron and lightweight brake discs made from a combination of an iron
friction ring and an aluminium pot. Customers of the SHW Group include leading
producers of passenger cars and commercial vehicles with manufacturing
facilities in Europe and North America. The SHW Group has four manufacturing
sites in Germany, located in Bad Schussenried, Aalen-Wasseralfingen,
Tuttlingen-Ludwigstal and Neuhausen ob Eck. With more than 1,000 employees, the
SHW Group generated sales from continuing operations in 2011 of approx. EUR 317
million. Further information is available at: www.shw.de
Future-oriented statements
This press release contains certain future-oriented statements that are based
upon current assumptions and forecasts made by the management of SHW AG. Various
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may lead to the actual
results, financial position, development or performance of the company deviating
considerably from the appraisals specified here. The company assumes no
obligation to update future-oriented statements of this nature or adapt them to
future events or developments.
Note
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell securities in the United
States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan or any other jurisdictional
territory where offers are subject to statutory restrictions. The securities
named in this announcement may only be sold or offered for sale in the United
States of America following their prior registration in accordance with the
provisions of the version of the US Securities Act of 1933 currently in force
(the "Securities Act") or, without prior registration, only on the basis of an
exemption. Unless provided for by certain exceptions within the Securities Act,
the securities named within this announcement may not be sold or offered for
sale in Australia, Canada or Japan, nor may they be sold or offered for sale to
or for account of residents of Australia, Canada or Japan. No registration of
the offer or sale of the securities named in this announcement will take place,
as stipulated by the relevant statutory provisions in Canada, Australia and
Japan. There is no public solicitation to buy securities in the United States of
America.
Further inquiry note:
Michael Schickling
Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
SHW AG
Telephone: +49 (0) 7361 502 462
Email: michael.schickling@shw.de
end of announcement euro adhoc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
company: SHW AG
Wilhelmstrasse 67
D-73433 Aalen
phone: +49 7361 502-1
FAX: +49 7361 502-674
mail: ir@shw.de
WWW: http://www.shw.de
sector: Automotive Equipment
ISIN: DE000A1JBPV9
indexes:
stockmarkets: free trade: Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, regulated dealing/prime
standard: Frankfurt
language: English