euro adhoc: Dr. Hönle AG
Financial Figures/Balance Sheet
Hönle presents
figures for the first quarter
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
25.02.2009
The economic situation deteriorated noticeably in the first quarter of the 2008/2009 financial year. All regions and many industries are affected by this development and new orders declined significantly in the printing industry, in particular. Hönle was also not exempted from this negative economic development. Sales revenues of the Hönle Group increased by 75.1 % to TEUR 12,751 in the first quarter of the financial year in comparison with the previous year as a result of acquisitions but declined by 19.6 % in comparison with the previous year´s quarter. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) dropped from TEUR 1,381 in the previous year to TEUR -592 in the first quarter of the current financial year. Earnings before tax (EBT) declined from TEUR 1,562 to TEUR -594 and the Group´s result decreased from TEUR 1,147 to TEUR -580. Earnings per share dropped from EUR 0.20 to EUR -0.11.
Liquid assets, securities and own shares amount to TEUR 10,824. The equity capital ratio is 67.4 %.
Outlook: The restrained investment behaviour, which can be observed in many sectors, will also impact on Hönle Group´s business development. However, at present it is almost impossible to forecast the extent and duration of the restrained investing behaviour, in particular in the printing industry. In February, the Hönle Group further extended short-time working in order to adjust manufacturing capacities to the decline in incoming orders. At present, about 35 % of the workforce is affected by short-time working.
Following the acquisition of several companies, integrating the new companies into the Hönle Group will be given priority in the new financial year. The main objective is to save costs by expanding the output chain and by centralising certain functions such as joint purchasing activities. The cost reduction program includes short-term as well as long-term measures. Manufacture of the Eltosch systems, which to date has been outsourced to external suppliers, will be transferred to Dr. Hönle AG in the course of this financial year. Production will then be combined and Eltosch und Hönle systems will be produced at one joint site which is both efficient and cost saving. Panacol and Wellomer will move to new company premises which they will use jointly. The production processes of these companies will also be combined to enable more efficient and cost-saving manufacture. Moreover, R&D capacities can be utilised more efficiently.
Savings in Purchasing will improve the cost situation. Materials procurement in plant engineering and in the adhesives segment will be centralised within the Hönle Group, which will optimise purchasing conditions.
Overall, the Board of Management is convinced that UV technology will continue to grow in popularity despite the present economic situation. Due to the advantages of UV technology in comparison with conventional drying and curing processes, its popularity and use in new fields will increase. Following the corporate acquisitions, the Hönle Group has positioned itself strongly in a very interesting market environment: It is now the second largest systems supplier worldwide in the market for industrial UV technology. Hönle is thus well equipped to overcome a period of economic weakness and to emerge stronger from the financial crisis. The restructuring measures initiated will see Hönle better positioned than ever for future profitable growth after the presently restrained investing behaviour has come to an end.
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Dr. Hönle AG, Peter Weinert, Lochhamer Schlag 1, 82166 Gräfelfing/Munich, Tel.:
089-85608-173, Fax: 089-85608-148, ir@hoenle.de, www.hoenle.de
Branche: Instrument Engineering
ISIN: DE0005157101
WKN: 515710
Index: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Börse Berlin / free trade
Börse Hamburg / free trade
Börse Stuttgart / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Börse Hannover / free trade
Börse München / free trade